Reflection

April 28, 2017

Literature Review

The title of my literature review was Mental Health and African Americans. Although mental

health affects everyone the same way, African Americans have even greater stress factors due to

racism, prejudice, and economic disparities. This literature review will inform the reader as to

why the African American community is hesitant to seek help regarding mental illness. Statistical

data, interviews, and journal articles will contribute to the research on why African Americans

are less likely to reach out for psychological help.

While working on this literature review, I have learned a lot about mental health in the African

American community. African Americans are often viewed as prideful, which causes African

Americans to continue to hold stigmatizing beliefs about mental illness. People who are

incarcerated, in poverty/very poor, homeless, or have substance abuse problems are at a higher

risk for poor mental health. Instances of mistreatment in the past have led to a mistrust of

authorities. Today, African Americans are over-populated in our prisons, accounting for 60% of

the prison population. Also accounting for 37% of drug arrests. If those in the African American

community were more open to acknowledging their mental health problems and educating

themselves and seeking the proper care, the numbers will decrease.