CHAPTER 7

A Vision for the Future

Promote Mental Health

Mental health promotion and mental illness prevention can improve the mental health of a community. Therefore, dedicated efforts should investigate avenues for reducing the effects of historical social inequities and for promoting community and family strengths.

Address Social Adversities

Mental health is adversely affected by chronic social conditions that disproportionately affect America’s poor and its racial and ethnic minority groups. These conditions include poverty, community violence, racism, and discrimination. The reduction of social adversities, while a formidable task, may be vital to improving the mental health of racial and ethnic minorities. Although there is substantial literature on the damaging effects of poverty on mental health, there is less empirical evidence for the effects of exposure to racism, discrimination, and community violence. As these relationships are examined, it is in the Nation’s interest to reduce the impact of such social problems, as well as to promote respect and under-standing among Americans of all backgrounds.

Build on Natural Supports

Efforts to prevent mental illness and promote mental health should build on intrinsic community strengths such as spirituality, positive ethnic identity, traditional values, educational attainment, and local leadership. Programs founded on individual, family, and community strengths have the potential for both ameliorating risk and fostering resilience. Furthermore, culturally appropriate efforts are needed to educate families and communities about mental health, mental illness, treatment effectiveness, the possibility of recovery, and the avail-ability of services in their area.

Strengthen Families

Families are the primary source of care and support for the majority of adults and children with mental health disorders or problems. Given the important role of family in the mental health system, it is essential that efforts to reduce racial and ethnic disparities include strategies to strengthen families to function at their fullest potential and to mitigate the stressful effects of caring for a relative with mental illness or serious emotional disturbance. Furthermore, strong families are better equipped to cope with adversity and to provide mentally healthy environments for their children. As with mental health interventions, family support and family strengthening efforts need to be tailored to the linguistic and cultural needs of racial and ethnic minorities.