We stand with the black community. We believe that everyone at risk for mental illnesses and related disorders should receive early and effective interventions. Historically, communities of color experience unique and considerable challenges in accessing mental health services. Our office accepts commercial insurance as well as Medicare and Medicaid. Our office population is approximately 40% Adult Black/African American. Our doors are open to the black community through telepsychiatry during COVID-19. We are here for you.
According to the US HHS Office of Minority Health
Adult Black/African Americans are 20 percent more likely to report serious psychological distress than adult whites.
Black/African Americans living below poverty are three times more likely to report serious psychological distress than those living above poverty.
Adult Black/African Americans are more likely to have feelings of sadness, hopelessness, and worthlessness than are adult whites.
And while Black/African Americans are less likely than white people to die from suicide as teenagers, Black/African American teenagers are more likely to attempt suicide than are white teenagers (8.3 percent v. 6.2 percent).
Black/African Americans of all ages are more likely to be victims of serious violent crime than are non-Hispanic whites, making them more likely to meet the diagnostic criteria for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Black/African Americans are also twice as likely as non-Hispanic whites to be diagnosed with schizophrenia.
To find out more about Minority Health:
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of Minority Mental Health. Mental health and African Americans.
https://minorityhealth.hhs.gov/omh/browse.aspx?lvl=4&lvlid=24