title: Needs and preferences for receiving mental health information in an African American focus group sample.
abstract: The purpose of this study is to better understand the mental health/illness information and service delivery preferences among African American residents of Baltimore. We conducted four focus groups (n = 42) among African American adults currently unconnected with the mental health system. Participants expressed fear of stigma and perceptions of racism as major barriers to seeking information and/or services and discussed some normalizing strategies to address these barriers. African Americans harbor cultural and traditional beliefs regarding mental illness which could also act as barriers. Findings have implications for imparting acceptable and culturally sensitive mental health education and service delivery programs in community settings.
authors.affiliation: Department of Family and Community Medicine and Office of Policy and Planning, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA. smishra@som.umaryland.edu
authors.forename: Shiraz I
authors.initials: SI
authors.lastname: Mishra
authors.forename: Alicia
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Lucksted
authors.forename: Deborah
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Gioia
authors.forename: Beth
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Barnet
authors.forename: Claudia R
authors.initials: CR
authors.lastname: Baquet
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001741:Black or African American; D000368:Aged; D001294:Attitude to Health; D015142:Baltimore; D003466:Cultural Characteristics; D005260:Female; D017144:Focus Groups; D006301:Health Services Needs and Demand; D006801:Humans; D007255:Information Services; D008297:Male; D008603:Mental Health; D008875:Middle Aged; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D013240:Stereotyping