1. Esther B. Davis Presenter
BREAKING THE SILENCE
Esther B. Davis Presenter

2. THE NEED FOR MENTAL HEALTH CARE
THE AVAILABILITY OF MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES
ACCESS TO MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES

3. 2006 CMHS Uniform Reporting System (URS) Tables 5/18/2008 NOMs p.1
ADULT EMPLOYMENT STATUS
Employment Status , % %
(percent with Employment Data)
Re-Admission Rates: (Civil “non-Forensic” clients)
State Hospital Readmissions: 180 Days , % % 47
US FY 2006
Maryland
US. Rate
States
US FY 2006
Maryland
US. Rate
States

4. 2005 CMHS Uniform Reporting System (URS) Tables 5/25/2008 NOMs p.1
ADULT EMPLOYMENT STATUS
Employment Status (percent in Labor Force)
RE-ADMISSION RATES: (Civil “non-Forensic” clients)
State Hospital Re-admissions: 180 Days
US FY 2005
Maryland
US. Rate
States
591,468
28%
37% 51
US FY 2005
Maryland
US. Rate
States
27, 456
16.6%
19.6% 45

5. THE ROLE OF FAITH IN RECOVERY
GETTING PAST THE SHAME
You may feel that you can deal with this on your own or don’t want to be labeled as “crazy,” and have chosen not to get help. Seeking help is a healthy thing to do.
THE ROLE OF FAITH IN RECOVERY
Practicing your faith and worshipping with people who care about you can help keep you strong, focused and connected to a healing force.
PSYCHOTHERAPY
Therapy can give you new ways to manage stress and avoid negative events that cause any re-hospitalization.
2008 Mental Health America

6. MENTAL HEALTH – AFRICAN AMERICAN POPULATION
Several factors have contributed to African Americans not receiving help for mental illness:
A mistrust of health professionals
Cultural barriers
A tendency to talk about physical problems, rather that discuss mental symptoms
Continued misunderstanding and stigma about mental illness
2008 Mental Health America

7. PEOPLE WITH MENTAL HEALTH CAN BE HELPED BY TREATMENT
MEDICATION
•The doctor may recommend one or more medicines to find what works best
COUNSELING
• Often, psychotherapy or other forms of counseling are used in combination with medication
PEER SUPPORT
• The advice and support of others who have mental illness can aid recovery
COMPLEMENTARY CARE
• Some people benefit from exercise, stress reduction classes and other activities to complement their treatment and help them manage their illness
2008 Mental Health America

8. AVAILABILITY OF MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES
The public mental health safety net of hospitals, community health centers, and local health departments are vital to many African Americans, especially to those in high-need populations. African Americans account for only 2% of psychiatrist, 2% of psychologists and 4% of social workers in the United States.
ACCESS TO MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES
Nearly 1 in 4 African Americans is uninsured, compared to 16% of the U.S. population. Rates of employer-based health coverage are just over 50% for employed African Americans, compared to over 70% for employed Hispanic whites. Medicaid covers nearly 21% of African Americans.
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office of the Surgeon General

9. RESOURCES
National Medical Association (List of African American Doctors)
Black Psychiatrists of America
American Association of Pastoral Counselors
Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance
American Psychiatric Association