Black Mental Health Matters: Racial Disparities in Healthcare while Breaking the Stigma on Cultural Practices
Poster Number
32
College
College of Arts and Sciences
Department
Mass Communication
Faculty Mentor
William Schulte Ph.D.
Abstract
The goal of the investigation was to inform readers about the racial disparities in the access to health care coverage by focusing on mental health. This investigation explained how a person’s cultural practices, residential location and socioeconomic status influence their ability to seek or oppose medical assistance. Based upon different attitudes, African Americans may or may not choose to seek mental health services. The investigation explored the state of South Carolina by examining their policies to make mental treatment affordable for the impoverished. Due to the stigma that is placed on the topic, The research was gathered to spark the conversation of mental health in the African American population. The data in the investigation were gathered by searching through documents from government agencies and mental health organizations such as the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of Minority Health, South Carolina Code of Laws, South Carolina Health Data and National Alliance on Mental Illness. Data were also collected by interviewing a clinical psychiatrist and an individual living with depression. As a result, the data did not support that African Americans refuse to seek medical assistance due to cultural practices, residential location and socioeconomic status.
Course Assignment
MCOM 441 – Schulte
Start Date
21-4-2017 2:15 PM
Black Mental Health Matters: Racial Disparities in Healthcare while Breaking the Stigma on Cultural Practices
Richardson Ballroom
The goal of the investigation was to inform readers about the racial disparities in the access to health care coverage by focusing on mental health. This investigation explained how a person’s cultural practices, residential location and socioeconomic status influence their ability to seek or oppose medical assistance. Based upon different attitudes, African Americans may or may not choose to seek mental health services. The investigation explored the state of South Carolina by examining their policies to make mental treatment affordable for the impoverished. Due to the stigma that is placed on the topic, The research was gathered to spark the conversation of mental health in the African American population. The data in the investigation were gathered by searching through documents from government agencies and mental health organizations such as the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of Minority Health, South Carolina Code of Laws, South Carolina Health Data and National Alliance on Mental Illness. Data were also collected by interviewing a clinical psychiatrist and an individual living with depression. As a result, the data did not support that African Americans refuse to seek medical assistance due to cultural practices, residential location and socioeconomic status.
