By: Cynthia
Benbow, MSW, Manager Case Management
“Weak
minded,” “troubled spirit,” “crazy talk” are common words used in the African
American community to describe someone living with a mental illness. Despite progress made in the last decade
with regard to understanding mental illness, the African American Community continues
to lag behind in seeking services for mental health treatment.
According to Dr. Sarah Vinson, Department of Psychiatry at
Emory University,
“Misinformation, an
absence of trust in the system, racism and financial circumstances are some of
the forces that can create barriers in making appropriate decisions about
seeking treatment,”
