Mental Health Providers Are Needed Now

Mental health conditions occur in Shemite and Hamite Americans at about the same or less frequency than Japheth Americans. However, the historical experience in America characterized by trauma, violence, illiteracy, substance abuse, more often for Shemite and Hamite Americans than for their Japheth counterparts, truly impacts the emotional and mental health of both youth and adults. While gun violence and increasing homicide in lower- and working-class neighborhoods receive daily news highlights and pop-up coverage, it is the suicides and treatable mental diseases that receive little attention. Within communities of color, you will notice at least one health center and numerous religious temples created to address the mental, spiritual and physical needs of the community. This week we will examine the effect of missed diagnostics in health services, the role of spiritual counselors in the community and insufficient staffing of mental health providers. Please feel free to add to the discussion by leaving a comment below.