Black Mental Health Matters: Bridging the Mental Health Gap in the Black Community

The present study examines the relationships among burnout, secondary traumatic stress (STS), and race-related stress among a national sample of 250 Black mental health therapists (counselors, social workers, psychologists, and marriage and family therapists). We investigated the predictive nature of the three subscales (Individual Racism, Cultural Racism, and Institutional Racism) of the Index of Race-Related Stress–Brief Version (IRRS-B) and selected demographic variables on therapists’ reports of burnout and STS assessed on the Professional Quality of Life Scale–Version 5 (ProQOL-5). All three forms of race-related stress significantly predicted both burnout and STS for Black mental health therapists. Of the demographic variables, hours worked per week significantly predicted burnout and STS. Additionally, highest degree obtained significantly predicted STS for Black mental health therapists. The utility of these findings in understanding the connections among race-related stress, burnout, and STS are discussed as well as directions for future research.

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Dr. Obari Adeye Cartman: Healing, Youth Work, and Masculinity

Contexts ◽

10.1177/15365042211012063 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 20 (2) ◽

pp. 8-9

Author(s):

Rod Martinez

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Associate Editor ◽

Program Director ◽

Theory And Practice ◽

Youth Work ◽

Mental Health Providers ◽

Health Providers ◽

South Side ◽

Cultural Programming ◽

Black Mental Health

Dr. Obari Adeye Cartman is an accomplished author, and he serves as the program director for Real Men Charities, Inc. This Chicago-based organization works with men, youth, and families to promote wellness through cultural programming. Dr. Cartman is also the President of the Chicago Association of Black Psychologists, associate editor of South Side Drive Magazine, and maintains a directory of Black mental health providers. Having been raised in a family that honored African traditions, his work marries theory and practice in very intentional and critical ways.

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From Preproduction to Coproduction: COVID-19, whiteness, and making black mental health matter

The Lancet Psychiatry ◽

10.1016/s2215-0366(20)30458-2 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Colin King ◽

Michael Bennett ◽

Kenneth W M Fulford ◽

Simon Clarke ◽

Steve Gillard ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Black Mental Health

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Feasibility of Disaster Mental Health Preparedness Training for Black Communities

Disaster Medicine and Public Health Preparedness ◽

10.1001/dmp.2012.18 ◽

2013 ◽

Vol 7 (3) ◽

pp. 302-312 ◽

Cited By ~ 6

Author(s):

Danielle J. Laborde ◽

Kathryn Magruder ◽

Joanne Caye ◽

Theodore Parrish

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Natural Disasters ◽

Black Community ◽

Core Curriculum ◽

Community Leaders ◽

Black Communities ◽

Disaster Mental Health ◽

Mental Health Training ◽

Health Providers ◽

Process Data

AbstractObjectivesTo test the feasibility of developing evidence-based mental health training to build capacity to respond to natural disasters in black communities and the adaptation of a train-the-trainer (TTT) model for black community leaders and clinical providers in distressed areas at risk of natural disasters.MethodsA core curriculum was developed based on a training needs assessment and resource review. Participants were recruited using network sampling in eastern North Carolina. The core curriculum was tested for usability, revised, and then pilot tested among five mental health providers. Three of the five were trained to lead one-day workshops tailored for black community leaders and clinical providers. Process data were collected, and workshop participants completed posttraining knowledge tests, evaluation forms, and debriefing focus groups.ResultsTen providers and 13 community leaders pilot tested the training. Posttest knowledge scores were generally higher among clinical providers. Perceived effectiveness of training was higher among community-based organization leaders than clinical providers. Evaluations indicated that the workshop components were culturally relevant and well received by all participants. We identified ways to facilitate recruitment, provide optional e-learning, evaluate effectiveness, and extend trainer support in future field trials.ConclusionThe curriculum and TTT model provide culturally competent disaster mental health preparedness training for black communities. (Disaster Med Public Health Preparedness. 2013;7:302-312)

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