Abstract
Among African Americans, the chronicity and severity of mental illness correlates with worse health outcomes and widens health disparities. Stigma related to mental illness compounds mental health disparities by creating barriers to help-seeking behavior. We examine the current tools designed to reduce mental illness stigma and promote improved mental health outcomes among African Americans. The authors reviewed the current evidence in the literature for such stigma reduction interventions. The review team developed a focused search across four databases: PubMed, Embase, Scopus, and APA PsycINFO. Initial searches identified 120 articles, from which six studies were included as reporting on mental illness stigma reduction interventions among African Americans. We describe these four quantitative and two qualitative studies. There have been various interventions used among African Americans to reduce mental illness stigma, and the level of efficacy and effectiveness is not well studied. Our review demonstrated a need for more robust studies to yield strong evidence on effectiveness among stigma reduction interventions in this target population. The evidence does support tailoring intervention studies to this population. Effectively engaging and partnering with key stakeholders, including schools, community organizations, and faith-based institutions enhances the acceptance and delivery of stigma reduction interventions.
Highlights
The National Institute of Mental Health reports that one in five persons in the United States experiences mental illness based on twelve-month prevalence data from 20191
The six titles included in our narrative review detail distinct interventions to reduce mental illness stigma among populations that were composed of mostly or exclusively African American persons
While some of the studies included in this review describe developing novel interventions altogether, some studies do take existing psychoeducational or contactbased materials made for a broader audience and focus on targeted delivery of these to African American communities
Summary
The National Institute of Mental Health reports that one in five persons in the United States experiences mental illness based on twelve-month prevalence data from 20191. Mental illness remains undertreated, and there is even lower utilization of mental health services among African Americans. Despite the overall high prevalence of mental illness, stigma towards mental illness remains pervasive. Mental illness stigma refers to negative attitudes and beliefs related to mental illness. In persons with mental illness (PWMI), stigma acts as a barrier to engaging in helpseeking behavior. African Americans are vulnerable to the presence and effects of mental illness stigma. Interventions that reduce stigma and increase help-seeking among African Americans with mental illness are necessary to address existing health disparities in mental health
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