Dissecting the intersection of Mental Health in the Black Tech Corporate Community
Issues of Socialization Amougst African Americans
13.4 percent of the U.S. population, or nearly 46 million people, identify themselves as Black or African American and another 2.7 percent identified as multiracial.
More than 1 in 5 Black and African American people in the U.S. lived in poverty as of 2018.
The CDC found 58% of Black and African American young adults 18-25 and 50% of adults 26-49 with serious mental illness did not receive treatment.
SAMHSA’s Reports on African American Mental Health Disparities
Rates of mental illnesses in African Americans
are similar with those of the general population.
However, disparities exist in regard to mental
health care services. African Americans often
receive poorer quality of care and lack access to
culturally competent care
Compared with whites, African Americans are:
Less likely to receive guideline-consistent care.
Black people with mental health conditions,
particularly schizophrenia, bipolar disorders, and
other psychoses are more likely to be incarcerated
than people of other races.
Understanding Post Traumatic Slave Syndrome
widely known diagnosis of post-traumatic slave syndrome (PTSS). include:
Avoiding certain places, people, or activities and events that may remind the individual of the trauma or experience.
Difficulty concentrating, feeling jumpy or being easily angered.
Appearing emotionally numb, also called "vacant esteem" - this includes feelings of hopelessness, depression and a general self-destructive outlook.
An aspect specific to PTSS is racial socialization and internalized racism, which includes the direct and indirect messages children receive about racism and the meaning of race.
