May 29, 2020
May is Mental Health Awareness Month--and the timing is perfect. Stress levels are running very high as the nation deals with the Covid-19 lockdown as well as the easing of lockdown restrictions. But other factors also contribute to high stress and anxiety levels in the African American community. Structural racism, dehumanizing events, police violence, economic uncertainty, poverty, and bias in health care, education, and housing are factors that affect African Americans on the mental, physical, and even spiritual levels. Unfortunately, African Americans do not have access to adequate mental health care in diagnosis or treatment. In fact, only 1 in 3 African Americans who need mental health care will actually receive that care. In this special episode, Robin and Hans (who narrates the Espresso Talk Today show) discuss the problems that African Americans face in receiving mental health care and the stigma that endures within the African American community. Join this uncommon and important conversation that concludes with practical tips for protecting your mental health.