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Smith-Woods T, Diggs WF. Nurturing Black Male Mental Health Through the Black Church: A Conceptual Approach from a Social Work Perspective. SOCIAL WORK IN PUBLIC HEALTH 2024; 39:785-793. [PMID: 39120053 DOI: 10.1080/19371918.2024.2387787] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 08/10/2024]
Abstract
This article introduces a conceptual framework rooted in social work principles to support the mental well-being of Black males within the nurturing and supportive setting of the Black Church. It addresses how historical trauma, societal views of Black masculinity, and social determinants of health have made Black men more likely to experience mental health challenges. The framework combines vulnerability theory and social work theory to focus on Black men's strengths and cultural sensitivities. It emphasizes the Black Church as a critical resource for promoting mental wellness and resilience. The approach includes implementing effective interventions to challenge stigma, improve the availability of mental health services, and encourage Black men to seek assistance. This article presents a holistic approach aimed at addressing mental health disparities experienced by Black males. It proposes using the strengths of the Black Church to promote resilience, facilitate healing, and encourage Black men to prioritize their mental well-being.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Willie Fred Diggs
- Department of Social Work, Alabama A&M University, Huntsville, Alabama, USA
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McGrath E, Dwaihy M, Smitherman L, Behar M, Benjamins L, Cockern N, Meade J, Smith J, Marshall S, Youngman C, Buggs-Saxton C, Houston K, Jones N, Secord E. Treasure (Hunt for) Your Health! Addressing Pediatric Social Determinants of Health Through Child-Friendly Community Engagement Events. Clin Pediatr (Phila) 2024; 63:1258-1264. [PMID: 38131315 DOI: 10.1177/00099228231218160] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/23/2023]
Abstract
Social determinants of health (SDoH), including factors such as education level, housing, poverty, racism, and food insecurity and their impact on health outcomes have been well documented. The "Wayne Pediatrics Health and Nutrition Expo" held at Detroit's Eastern Market was an activity-based health and nutrition event addressing pediatric SDoH. Partnering with community organizations, the event had 10 stations addressing SDoH: access to a primary-care pediatrician; HIV-care and prevention; childhood literacy; clothing & winter coats; mental health and childhood development; nutrition; staying active; vaccination; and food insecurity. The free, public event featured a child-themed treasure hunt and map, music, giveaways, and live demonstrations, all in a family-friendly park atmosphere. While SDoH are considered "non-medical" factors that contribute to health and may be difficult to completely address for any individual child, our practice addressed several key SDoH at a single-day, hands-on, child-friendly community event based on the local needs of children.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eric McGrath
- Wayne Pediatrics, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, MI, USA
- Horizons Project/Pediatric HIV Care, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, MI, USA
| | - Meghan Dwaihy
- Wayne Pediatrics, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, MI, USA
| | - Lynn Smitherman
- Wayne Pediatrics, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, MI, USA
| | - Miriam Behar
- Wayne Pediatrics, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, MI, USA
| | - Laura Benjamins
- Wayne Pediatrics, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, MI, USA
- Horizons Project/Pediatric HIV Care, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, MI, USA
| | - Nikki Cockern
- Wayne Pediatrics, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, MI, USA
- Horizons Project/Pediatric HIV Care, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, MI, USA
| | - Jill Meade
- Wayne Pediatrics, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, MI, USA
- Horizons Project/Pediatric HIV Care, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, MI, USA
| | - Jameel Smith
- Wayne Pediatrics, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, MI, USA
| | - Sharon Marshall
- Wayne Pediatrics, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, MI, USA
| | | | | | - Keshaum Houston
- Wayne Pediatrics, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, MI, USA
- Horizons Project/Pediatric HIV Care, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, MI, USA
| | - Natalie Jones
- Wayne Pediatrics, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, MI, USA
- Horizons Project/Pediatric HIV Care, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, MI, USA
| | - Elizabeth Secord
- Wayne Pediatrics, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, MI, USA
- Horizons Project/Pediatric HIV Care, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, MI, USA
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Bauer AG, Williams J, Hambrick E, Rempfer M, Bennett K, Christensen K, Berkley-Patton JY. Mental health attitudes, norms, beliefs, and experiences with care among young Black men: A theory of planned behavior assessment. PSYCHOLOGICAL TRAUMA : THEORY, RESEARCH, PRACTICE AND POLICY 2024; 16:653-660. [PMID: 37053405 PMCID: PMC10570394 DOI: 10.1037/tra0001462] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/15/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Young Black/African American men (YBM) are at greater risk for trauma and related mental health concerns compared to young non-Hispanic White men but are less likely to receive mental health care when needed. The current study used a Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB)-guided framework to qualitatively explore beliefs, norms, and intentions related to seeking mental health screening and linkage to care (LTC) among YBM exposed to trauma. METHOD Participants (N = 55, Mage = 23 years) were YBM aged 18-30 recruited from urban community settings in Kansas City, MO, between October 2018 and April 2019 for participation in focus groups. RESULTS Participants discussed lived experiences with trauma and mental health care, plus salient behavioral beliefs-both positive and negative. Key normative referents were significant others and family members, and participants endorsed greater motivation to seek care with their support. Control beliefs ranged from individual and interpersonal facilitators and barriers to more systemic factors (e.g., availability of providers, cost, lack of access, disparities in incarceration). CONCLUSIONS Tailored interventions are needed to promote engagement in mental health services among YBM, with strategies that recognize cultural contexts and ongoing needs for general well-being. Recommendations for providers and systems are discussed. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2024 APA, all rights reserved).
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexandria G. Bauer
- Center of Alcohol & Substance Use Studies, Rutgers University, 607 Allison Road, Piscataway, NJ 08854, United States
| | - Joah Williams
- Department of Psychology, University of Missouri-Kansas City, 5030 Cherry Street, Kansas City, MO 64110, United States
| | - Erin Hambrick
- Department of Psychology, University of Missouri-Kansas City, 5030 Cherry Street, Kansas City, MO 64110, United States
| | - Melisa Rempfer
- Department of Psychology, University of Missouri-Kansas City, 5030 Cherry Street, Kansas City, MO 64110, United States
| | - Kymberly Bennett
- Department of Psychology, University of Missouri-Kansas City, 5030 Cherry Street, Kansas City, MO 64110, United States
| | - Kelsey Christensen
- Department of Biomedical and Health Informatics, University of Missouri-Kansas City, 2411 Holmes Street, Kansas City, MO 64108, United States
| | - Jannette Y. Berkley-Patton
- Department of Biomedical and Health Informatics, University of Missouri-Kansas City, 2411 Holmes Street, Kansas City, MO 64108, United States
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Magee LA, Ortiz D, Adams ZW, Marriott BR, Beverly AW, Beverly B, Aalsma MC, Wiehe SE, Ranney ML. Engagement With Mental Health Services Among Survivors of Firearm Injury. JAMA Netw Open 2023; 6:e2340246. [PMID: 37902754 PMCID: PMC10616725 DOI: 10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2023.40246] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/20/2023] [Accepted: 09/15/2023] [Indexed: 10/31/2023] Open
Abstract
Importance Despite the prevalence of posttraumatic stress symptoms after firearm injury, little is known about how firearm injury survivors connect with mental health services. Objective To determine facilitators and barriers to mental health care engagement among firearm injury survivors. Design, Setting, and Participants A qualitative study of 1-on-1, semistructured interviews conducted within a community setting in Indianapolis, Indiana, between June 2021 and January 2022. Participants were recruited via community partners and snowball sampling. Participants who survived an intentional firearm injury, were shot within Indianapolis, were aged 13 years or older, and were English speaking were eligible. Participants were asked to discuss their lives after firearm injury, the emotional consequences of their injury, and their utilization patterns of mental health services. Data were analyzed from August 2022 to June 2023. Main Outcomes and Measures Survivors' lived experience after firearm injury, sources of emotional support, mental health utilization, and their desired engagement with mental health care after firearm injury. Results A total of 18 participants (17 were Black [94%], 16 were male [89%], and 14 were aged between 13 and 24 years [77%]) who survived a firearm injury were interviewed. Survivors described family members, friends, and informal networks as their main source of emotional support. Barriers to mental health care utilization were perceived as a lack of benefit to services, distrust in practitioners, and fear of stigma. Credible messengers served as facilitators to mental health care. Survivors also described the emotional impact their shooting had on their families, particularly mothers, partners, and children. Conclusions and Relevance In this study of survivors of firearm injury, findings illustrated the consequences of stigma and fear when seeking mental health care, inadequate trusted resources, and the need for awareness of and access to mental health resources for family members and communities most impacted by firearm injury. Future studies should evaluate whether community capacity building, digital health delivery, and trauma-informed public health campaigns could overcome these barriers to mitigate the emotional trauma of firearm injuries to reduce health disparities and prevent future firearm violence.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lauren A. Magee
- Paul H. O’Neill School of Public and Environmental Affairs, Indiana University Indianapolis
| | - Damaris Ortiz
- Department of Surgery, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis
- Sidney and Lois Eskenazi Hospital Smith Level One Trauma Center, Indianapolis, Indiana
| | - Zachary W. Adams
- Adolescent Behavior Health Research Program, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis
- Stop the Violence Indianapolis, Indiana
| | - Brigid R. Marriott
- Adolescent Behavior Health Research Program, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis
| | | | | | - Matthew C. Aalsma
- Adolescent Behavior Health Research Program, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis
| | - Sarah E. Wiehe
- Children’s Health Services Research, Department of Pediatric, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis
| | - Megan L. Ranney
- Yale School of Public Health, Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut
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