Introduction
The issue of mental health persists in diverse communities in the United States one pressing issue being the barriers African Americans face when it comes to accessing proper mental health care. Mental health is very important for one’s overall well-being. However, factors such as systemic inequalities, cultural stigma, and limited access to proper healthcare can hinder communities like African Americans from accessing proper treatment for this unique issue (Planley et al., 2019). It is important to deeply understand these barriers in order for social work practitioners to create more inclusive and effective interventions. The project focuses on examining and addressing the challenges that prevent African Americans from seeking and receiving proper mental health care. This paper aims to shed light on these barriers and propose solutions to enhance policies, social work practices, and interventions that can meet the needs of the African American community.
The primary focus of this project will be the African American community facing the issue of limited access to proper mental health care. This will involve the exploration of real-life cases while drawing insights from practical experiences and evidence-based research. Therefore, this project will explore the specific challenges facing the client system which in our case is the African American individuals and families. There are specific challenges facing his client system that hinder him from getting appropriate mental health care. The goal of this project is to bridge the gap between mental health services and the African American community. This will help promote equitable access to proper mental health care. The choice of this client system is based on the need to address the special socio-cultural dynamics that influence the behavior of African Americans looking for proper mental health care. It aligns with the values of social work emphasizing social justice, cultural competence, and ethical practices. The capstone project will also explore social policy, social environment, practice, research and evaluation, diversity, and issues of social and economic justice.
Human Behavior Theory
The best framework for addressing the challenges Africa Americans face in search for appropriate mental health care is the Ecological systems Theory by Bronfenbrenner. It is outlined in his scholarly work, “The Ecology of Human Development”. The theory explores the interconnected layers of the human environment and provides a deep perspective on each of the layers of human behavior (Rogers, 2020). The reason for choosing this theory is its ability to capture varied dynamics that influence African Americans’ mental health-seeking behavior. Unlike other theories that focus on th individual, this theory recognizes the impact of various systems from the familial level to the cultural and societal levels. The familial level falls under the microsystems level of the ecological systems while the societal falls under the macrosystems theory of the model. In the African American context, the theory provides a deeper understanding of the interconnected factors that shape mental health perceptions and utilization. This theory also acknowledges diversity within the community, hence aligning with the principle of cultural competence.
This theory is a practical guide when adopting interventions, particularly in the context of mental health barriers in the African American community. Social work practitioners can adopt interventions at various levels knowing that individuals exist within nested systems. For example, interventions can involve bringing together community leaders to suggest policies addressing systemic inequalities. This theory emphasizes the importance of understanding familial dynamics cultural influences and social support networks, all of which are factors that influence mental health decisions. Several research studies provide empirical support for the application of the theory. This is important in emphasizing its reliability and generalizability across diverse communities. The Ecological Systems Theory can consider the dynamic association between various environmental factors (Rogers, 2020). There may be limitations of potential oversimplification and the challenge of operationalizing complex systems in practice. While the theory aligns well with systemic issues, its application may require a deeper understanding of the specific cultural contexts within the African American community.
Social Policy
The selected social policy is the Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act (MHPAEA). Enacted in 2008, this federal law mandates that coverage plans covering mental health and substance use disease services have to offer coverage corresponding to that of scientific and health providers (Kawaii-Bogue, 2017). Its relevance lies in addressing the systemic disparities in mental health care coverage and affordability. It can rectify historical inequities in mental health care access, particularly among minority populations. MHPAEA aligns with the task’s aim of dismantling barriers faced by African Americans in accessing mental health care. It also can lower the financial burdens associated with mental health treatment.
MHPAEA directly influences the affordability and accessibility of mental health services. Social workers can actively propose for customers to ensure coverage plans follow MHPAEA, facilitating access to a wide variety of mental health treatments without financial constraints. This utility includes participating with coverage vendors and teaching clients about their rights under this policy. An evidence-based evaluation of MHPAEA includes examining its impact on lowering disparities in mental health care usage. Utilizing research studies such as the effectiveness of parity legal guidelines, social employees can verify how MHPAEA contributes to expanded mental health services coverage among African Americans (Kawaii-Bogue, 2017). The strengths of MHPAEA lie in its potential to lower economic disparities and improve the overall mental health care for African Americans. However, variations in coverage implementation at the state level, and the need for ongoing advocacy to address emerging challenges may arise. Assessing its applicability to various African American groups is crucial for a comprehensive understanding of its effect.
Practice
A complete social work practice model integrating the Strengths-Based Perspective for evaluation and the Empowerment Theory for intervention is essential in this context. The Strengths-Based Perspective emphasizes exploring and leveraging the strengths within individuals and communities (Parker, 2020). Drawing on numerous sources like “The Strengths Perspective in Social Work Practice,” this approach aligns with the project’s objective. The objective is to highlight the resilience and capabilities of African American individuals and groups in navigating mental health challenges.
The Empowerment Theory can improve peoples’ decision-making, resolve issues, and impact their environment. Given the ancient context of systemic oppression faced by African Americans, this theory is apt for fostering self-efficacy and dismantling barriers to mental health care. The Strengths-Based Perspective and Empowerment Theory were selected based on their congruence with the African American cultural context (Parker, 2020). The decision-making approach involves an intensive literature review, recognizing the need for a cultural approach that acknowledges and builds upon resilience. The theories promote a collaborative and empowering framework that resonates with the task’s intention of solving challenges this group faces in accessing mental health care.
The Strengths-Based Perspective supports social workers in accomplishing tasks that focus on exploring and amplifying the existing strengths in the African American client system. The Empowerment Theory informs interventions that empower customers to actively with the decision-making approach. Social workers, applying this theory, collaborate with customers to set realistic goals, build advocacy competencies, and address systemic challenges hindering mental health access.
Practice Skills
Three practice skills deemed applicable to the situation are Cultural Competence, Advocacy, and Collaborative Goal Setting. Each selected skill aligns with the task’s recognition of destroying hindrances for African Americans. Cultural competence ensures the establishment of culturally responsive interventions. Advocacy empowers clients to navigate systemic challenges. Collaborative goal setting acknowledges the significance of associated clients in choices that affect their mental health. Social employees practice cultural competence by actively listening, respecting cultural variety, and tailoring interventions to align with the cultural values of African Americans. Advocacy skills come to the leading edge while social employees actively engage with customers in addressing systemic barriers and facilitating access to mental health sources. Collaborative goal setting guarantees that interventions are tailor-made to individual desires and are culturally congruent.
Cultural competence entails awareness of cultural variations and the capacity to conform to interventions as a consequence. Research on culturally ready practices presents a framework for evaluating the effectiveness of cultural competence in social work practice. This talent ensures that mental health interventions are respectful, relevant, and aligned with the cultural and historical past of African Americans. The Strengths-Based Perspective and Empowerment Theory, coupled with the selected practice skills, deliver substantial strengths to social workpractice. They align with the cultural context, empower clients, and foster collaborative decision-making. However, there may arise challenges in operationalizing the empowerment principle in practice and the need for ongoing education to enhance cultural competence.
Research & Evaluation
To assess the effectiveness of the intervention addressing African American obstacles to mental health care, a Utilization-Focused Evaluation (UFE) will be employed. UFE prioritizes the wishes and views of stakeholders, emphasizing sensible insights that can enhance the intervention’s impact. This evaluation aligns with the assignment’s intention of fostering a customer-centric and culturally focused approach to mental health care. The choice of UFE is rooted in empirical evidence assisting its efficacy in diverse social work settings. Drawing on literature reviews that explore the applicability of UFE in culturally diverse contexts, this approach guarantees that the assessment approach is theoretically sound and also has practical relevance to the practice situation.
Research knowledge influences practice by imparting a systematic-based method in comparing the intervention’s consequences. For example, research reveals how UFE linked to the unique experiences of the African American population, can yield actionable insights. This linkage guarantees that the evaluation is theoretically grounded and also informs and refines the ongoing practice of solving limitations to mental health care. The decision to choose UFE is grounded in its alignment with the principles of cultural competence and patron empowerment. UFE permits the lively involvement of African American customers in shaping the assessment technique, making sure that their views, wishes, and experiences are vital to assessing the intervention’s impact. This participatory method enhances the cultural relevance and effectiveness of the evaluation procedure.
To improve the motive and methodology of the UFE, a complete variety of literature sources can be referenced. This consists of foundational works on Utilization-Focused Evaluation, and recent studies exploring the utility of UFE in various cultural contexts. This literature synthesis ensures a strong basis for implementing the chosen evaluation technique. The strengths of using UFE lie in its client-targeted cognizance, adaptability to numerous cultural contexts, and emphasis on sensible, actionable insights. However, potential limitations may consist of the need for collaboration and communication with clients, which could pose challenges.
Issues of Social and Economic Justice
In addressing African American barriers to mental health care, it is essential to scrutinize the broader context of social and economic justice. The practice situation is embedded in a framework where disparities in mental health access are intertwined with problems of systemic racism, financial inequality, and social injustice. Examining those systemic issues can help practitioners better understand the root causes of disparities in mental health access. Distributive justice is important to the discussion, emphasizing the just allocation of resources, inclusive of mental health services in the African American community. Socio-economic justice issues explore the financial aspects that contribute to disparities in mental health care, which include access to coverage, employment opportunities, and less costly housing (Hahnel, 2020). A complete analysis acknowledges the intersectionality of those issues and their impact on mental health.
The intervention’s effectiveness in promoting empowerment or perpetuating discrimination is a crucial component of social and economic justice. Empowerment entails fostering employment, autonomy, and equal access to mental health resources. Conversely, discrimination may also happen through unintended biases, culturally insensitive practices, or structural limitations that prevent equitable service provision (Hahnel, 2020). A deeper evaluation is crucial to determine the intervention’s effect on social and economic justice in the African American community. Issues of social and economic justice are connected to human and civil rights. The right to intellectual health care is a fundamental element of the right to health. Analyzing the intervention’s alignment with these rights entails assessing whether it promotes equal access, non-discrimination, and the right to participate in decisions regarding one’s health care.
To substantiate the evaluation, a variety of literature resources is referenced. These sources contribute to the knowledge of distributive justice while others provide insights into socio-financial disparities in mental health. This literature synthesis enriches the discussion by drawing on foundational theories and empirical evidence associated with social and economic justice. The strengths of the analysis lie in its consideration of complicated social and economic factors influencing mental health disparities. However, there may be challenges to disentangling the multifaceted nature of discrimination and empowerment. Ongoing assessment of the strengths and limitations ensures a dynamic and responsive approach to addressing social and economic justice issues.
Diversity
Addressing African American limitations to mental health care requires better attention to the group’s diverse dimensions. Age-associated elements may have an impact on mental health needs, while magnificence and financial disparities can affect access to services. The issue of color, reflecting skin tone biases, must be explored. Disability issues are vital, recognizing various abilities within the African American network. Cultural issues related to ethnicity and family structures should inform culturally competent interventions. Gender, marital popularity, and sexual orientation relate to mental health reports. Race, religion, and sex are critical factors shaping people’s identities and influencing mental health perceptions (Gomez, 2019). The discussion of diversity is tightly integrated with the practice situation of addressing African American obstacles to mental health care. Acknowledging and navigating the diverse identities within the African American community can help practitioners tailor interventions to deal with precise needs and challenges. For instance, understanding the intersectionality of race, gender, and socio-economic elements is important for delivering culturally competent mental health that resonates with the reports of individuals within the community.
A careful choice of literature sources is referenced to enhance the discussion. These sources offer insights into the multifaceted factors of cultural competence, addressing diversity in mental health care. Additionally, other research explores the intersections of race, gender, and mental health effects. This literature selection ensures that the discussion is supported by evidence-based research, fostering a deeper understanding of diversity in the African American context. The dialogue’s strengths lie in its expansive consideration of diverse elements influencing mental health in the African American community. However, the project lies in balancing generalizations with the popularity of character differences. An ongoing assessment of knowledge and expert skills is crucial for adapting interventions and ensuring that mental health services remain inclusive and applicable.
Ethics and Values
It is important to consider ethics and values as paramount in addressing African American limitations to mental health care. The foundation for ethical practice is rooted in ideas that prioritize customer well-being, autonomy, and social justice. Core values including integrity, competence, and respect guide practitioners in navigating complex moral dilemmas. Analyzing the moral dimensions of the practice situation entails scrutinizing potential conflicts, power dynamics, and the effect of systemic factors on ethical decision-making. Applying the NASW Code of Ethics affords a basic framework for ethical exercise. Referencing unique sections of the code, together with those about cultural competence, confidentiality, and knowledgeable consent, ensures complete expertise of ethical tips. The NASW Code of Ethics serves as a benchmark for retaining excessive standards of professional behavior, fostering responsibility, and safeguarding the rights and well-being of clients. Practitioners must rigorously follow expert ethics and values to the challenges presented by African Americans in accessing mental health care. This involves promoting cultural competence through highlighting and addressing biases and advocating for social justice. It may also involve ensuring that clients are live participants in decision-making procedures.
Conclusion
The capstone challenge on “African American Barriers to Mental Health Care” has been a transformative learning experience. The criteria used for evaluating the significance of learning include the intensity of understanding gained regarding the intersectionality of cultural, social, and economic elements impacting the mental health of African Americans. The practice situation has extensively stimulated future expert development. The publicity of real-global challenges within the mental health care of African Americans has highlighted the significance of continuous learning and adaptability. The impact on professional development is obvious in the heightened focus on the need for culturally ready interventions within diverse groups. Strengths lie in the capability to integrate theory, policy, and practice to devise holistic interventions. The comprehensive approach to addressing diversity, ethics, and social justice demonstrates a commitment to well-rounded expert exercise. Challenges, however, include navigating the complexity of addressing limitations in mental health care and the existing systemic issues.
References
Gomez, L. E., & Bernet, P. (2019). Diversity improves performance and outcomes. Journal of the National Medical Association, 111(4), 383-392.
Hahnel, R. (2020). Economic justice: Confronting dilemmas. Journal of Economic Issues, 54(1), 19-37.
Kawaii-Bogue, B., Williams, N. J., & MacNear, K. (2017). Mental health care access and treatment utilization in African American communities: An integrative care framework. Best Practices in Mental Health, 13(2), 11-29.
Parker, J. (2020). Social work practice: Assessment, planning, intervention, and review. Social Work Practice, 1-264.
Planey, A. M., Smith, S. M., Moore, S., & Walker, T. D. (2019). Barriers and facilitators to mental health help-seeking among African American youth and their families: A systematic review study. Children and Youth Services Review, 101, 190-200.
Rogers, A. (2020). Human behavior in the social environment: Perspectives on development, the life course, and macro contexts. Routledge.
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