Webcast Information

Webcast Information

Photo of Mark Richardson
Mark Richardson

Photo of Aisha Shamburger
Aisha Shamburger

Photo of Kelli Williams Gary
Kelli Williams Gary

Perceptions of Psychiatric Services Held by African American Males: Implications for Service Providers & Researchers (2 - 3 pm ET)
Mark Richardson, M.Ed. , Ph.D. Candidate, VCU Rehab Counseling
Aisha Shamburger, MS, CRC, CRP, Ph.D. Student, VCU Rehab Counseling
Kelli Williams Gary, Ph.D., MPH, OTR/L, VCU Rehab Counseling

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Research indicates that minority populations are underserved in the U.S. mental health care system. This disparity has been associated with limited English proficiency, remote geographic settings of mental health providers, stigma, fragmented services, comorbidity of mental illness and chronic diseases, high cost of services and cultural misunderstandings of mental health disorders and services. Although African Americans have a lower prevalence rate of mental health disorders than their white counterparts, they have a longer duration of illness compared to any other racial/ethnic group (Kessler et al., 2005; Williams et al., 2006; Primm et al., 2010). In addition, African Americans are also less likely to receive accurate diagnoses or treatment and more likely to be involuntarily admitted to public mental hospitals (NAMI, 2010).

We feel that this phenomenon may be caused by something larger than the obvious geographic location of mental health providers, cost of services or stigma. Therefore, the purpose of this webcast will be to discuss the perception of mental health services held by African American males who are (a) currently receiving mental health care services, (b) have been diagnosed with a mental disorder but have not gained access to mental health care services and (c) are at a greater risk of developing a mental illness due to traumatic events, high stress and or condition of life (poverty, drug abuse, incarceration, education, etc).

This webcast will cover the following topics:

  1. The prevalence and incidence of psychiatric disabilities among racial and ethnic minority groups.
  2. The prevalence and incidence of psychiatric disabilities among African American men and women.
  3. The perception of psychiatric services among adolescents age (13-18).
  4. The perception of psychiatric services among young adults age (19-25).
  5. The perception of psychiatric services among veterans.
  6. The perception of psychiatric services among the geriatric population.
  7. Implications for service providers and researchers.
Presenters' Bios:

Aisha Shamburger, MS., CRC, CRP (Bio): Word

Kelli Willams Gary, Ph.D., MPH, OTR/L (Bio): Word

Mark Richardson, Ph.D. Candidate & Doctoral Research Assistant (Bio): Word