Mental Illness Perceptions & Misconceptions Within Black Communities

Abstract

The rise of mental illness in the US is increasing at an alarming rate. Approximately one in five adults will suffer from a mental illness in any given year. Along with this shocking statistic, the rates of untreated mental illness, especially within the black community has escalated. Mental illness and mental health are topics that tend to be stigmatized within society, specifically in the black community. This results in people believing like they can not even talk about these issues, let alone receive treatment and support. The goal of this research is to discove rwhati s causing individuals to shy away from receiving help and treatment for their mental illnesses. Hopefully, In turn, we can begin to dismantle these negative ideas in order to combat the rates of untreated mental illness.