Mental Health in the African American Community

This week on the Black Doctors Speak Podcast, we are joined by Dr. George Woods who will discuss Mental health in the African American Community. Dr. Woods is a very prominent psychiatrist who feels that the mental health delivery system is not sensitive, and often prejudiced, against African Americans.  In addition, many African Americans are distrustful of mental health services. An article in the Journal of Racial and Health Disparities identified a small study highlighting differences and what was expected by African-Americans who ended up in the mental health system. Often African Americans preferred group therapy and therapy from professionals of the same gender. Regardless of the rationale for poor outcomes, especially during these difficult times, we have to do a better job both changing the mental health system to appreciate cultural differences and to increase awareness of the value of mental health services in the African American community.