By Dianne Anderson

Living in perpetual crisis mode from one traffic stop to the next, and other killings of innocent Black men, is taking a toll.

The most recent data available from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of Minority Health Resource Center showed suicide as the second leading cause of death for African Americans ages 15 to 24 in 2019. The death rate from suicide for Black men was four times greater than Black women.

“Poverty level affects mental health status. Black or African Americans living below the poverty level, as compared to those over twice the poverty level, are twice as likely to report serious psychological distress,” the center reports.

But those numbers were before COVID-19 hit.

“No doubt about it, it’s been tough. I think that grief is one of those challenges that people are dealing with,” said Dr. Pierre Scott, clinical marriage and family therapist with Riverside University Health System, Behavioral Health.

The past two years have proven to be a painful combination of forces, including grief from COVID loss in the family, and isolation. Like many other areas of health, the Black community has suffered a higher impact.

He said that reducing the risk of developing mental health challenges with their prevention and intervention programs can circumvent the onset of mental health challenges when problems strike.

Building Resilience in African American Families strategies step in at the right time to counter the negativity.

“The primary goal of BRAAF is to reduce the risk of developing mental health problems early, especially in the face of racism and discrimination, and increase skill development for the African American population in Riverside County,” he said.

Rites of Passage, an evidence-based program, focuses on culture and increasing Afrocentric awareness. He said BRAAF is reaching out to the community, to churches and to other nonprofits to get involved.

”It is an effective form, an African American cultural model to address principles, such as the seven principles of Swahili [of] Dr. Maulana Karenga and Dr. Aminifu Harvey have been really helpful,” he said.

Empowerment is the priority, and surrounding Black families with messaging reinforces their value in society and knowledge of Afrocentric contributions throughout history.

Their close partner, the African American Family Wellness Advisory Group (AAFWAG) also regularly offers community resources and events.

Together, the programs draw parents into support systems to help reduce some of the risk factors that pull families apart, such as substance abuse or violence and trauma.

“We combine that with cognitive behavioral therapy, guiding good choices during the five-week program. We offer parent support groups for parents to come together and get the support they need, throughout the different [county] regions.”

Services for Black families also include virtual trainings through the department on spot the signs of suicide ideation, and how to reach someone at risk before the idea becomes reality.

“By having these types of programs it helps with opportunities to counter mental health challenges,” he said. “One thing we know is that the mental health stigma in the community is rather high. We are working with cultural competency.”

Coming up during Black History Month, they will also work again with AFWAG and with the African American Mental Health Coalition on the next installment of the Beautiful Black Man series.

He said identifying those in need is the first step, but also learning the words to reach out and talk to them is critical. Their virtual trainings pack a full range of concepts in a beginners course in mental health, self-care, and caring for others.

“We are available to help families learn about what mental health is, and how to understand the spectrum,” he said. “Everyone is at risk for having mental illness, but at the same time it doesn’t mean that people can’t mentally be well.”

Within the general field of psychology, much of the stigma and disconnect in the Black community has been attributed to decades and centuries-long racism and white supremacist perspectives.

In a recent statement, the American Psychologists association apologized for its role in perpetuating racism and discrimination against people of color.

“The American Psychological Association failed in its role leading the discipline of psychology, was complicit in contributing to systemic inequities, and hurt many through racism, racial discrimination, and denigration of people of color, thereby falling short on its mission to benefit society and improve lives,” the association said.

The association outlined steps and intentions toward restorative practices and targeted interventions.

“This early history of psychology, rooted in oppressive psychological science to protect Whiteness, White people, and White epistemologies, reflected the social and political landscape of the U.S. at that time. Psychology developed under these conditions, helped to create, express, and sustain them, continues to bear their indelible imprint, and often continues to publish research that conforms with White racial hierarchy,” they said.

To learn more or get involved with BRAAF, see https://www.braaf.org/
https://www.apa.org/about/policy/racism-apology