Black History Month

Featured Publications

CMHS: Cultural Competence in Serving Children and Adolescents With Mental Health Problems
Culturally competent mental health service providers and the agencies that employ them are specially trained in specific behaviors, attitudes, and policies that recognize, respect, and value the uniqueness of individuals and groups whose cultures are different from those associated with mainstream America. These populations are frequently identified as being made up of people of color--such as Americans of African, Hispanic, Asian, and Native American descent.
Publication Number: CA-0015

CMHS: African Americans: Fact Sheet
Whether African Americans differ from whites in the rate of mental illness cannot be answered simply. For African Americans living in the community, overall rates of mental illness appear to be similar to those of non-Hispanic whites. Differences do arise when assessing the prevalence of specific illnesses.

CMHS: Overview of Cultural Diversity and Mental Health Services

NMHA: Clinical Depression and African Americans
Anyone can have clinical depression. However, cultural background plays a large role in how the symptoms of depression are reported and interpreted, and consequently, if and how clinical depression is recognized and treated. But clinical depression is never normal and should not be accepted as a normal part of life for any African American regardless of age or life situation.