Criminalizing Mental Health in the Black Community

Studies have shown that African Americans are more likely to be diagnosed with severe mental illnesses, but less likely to receive appropriate treatment. They are also more likely to experience trauma and stressors, such as poverty and discrimination, which can contribute to mental health issues.
Instead of receiving the help they need, African Americans with mental illnesses are often met with police intervention and incarceration. This not only perpetuates the cycle of poverty and trauma, but also worsens their mental health.
It is time to address the criminalization of mental health in the African American community. This can be done through increasing access to quality mental health care, addressing systemic racism and bias in the criminal justice system, and providing alternatives to incarceration for those with mental illnesses. Let's work towards creating a society that supports!