Examining the disparities and structural barriers in the utilization of mental health services by African Americans: a scoping review

The total number of Americans that have experienced having a mental illness continues to increase steadily year after year. It is estimated that nearly 55 million Americans, or 20% of the United States population, has a mental illness. Mental health statistics in the U.S. have risen across all racial and ethnic groups. Scholars have had difficulty being able to quantify the prevalence of mental illness among African American adults. Minimal engagement of African Americans in mental health services, and irregularities in diagnostic practice are two examples of the disparities observed in the mental health encounters of African Americans. African Americans are purported to receive less mental health treatment and to drop out of treatment more frequently. Historically, African Americans have received inadequate mental health treatment which did not address or help with managing their symptoms. During slavery, many African Americans were diagnosed with a mental illness due to the sociopolitical climate of the country. In the aftermath of slavery, many African Americans have experienced several barriers to treatment. The barriers and disparities in the mental health treatment of African Americans has led many African Americans to have unsatisfactory treatment outcomes, and substandard quality of life. Examining service barriers and disparities helps mental health practitioners to adequately identify what is essential in the delivery of mental health treatment to African Americans.