Addressing Disparities in Access and Utilization of MH and SU Services Among Blacks and African Americans

Although the overall rates of mental health and substance use conditions among Black/African Americans (B/AA) are similar to those of the general population, they face unique disparities in access, engagement, utilization and outcomes when seeking mental health and substance use treatment services.

Our new white paper, Addressing Disparities in Access and Utilization of Mental Health and Substance Use Services Among Blacks and African Americans: Solutions from Community Stakeholders, can help you better understand the health disparities that exist for B/AAs seeking specialty mental health and substance use treatment services.

This report also provides unique perspectives from B/AA service providers and community stakeholders and highlights solutions and promising practices to effectively meet the needs of B/AAs seeking mental health and substance use treatment services.

This white paper was produced by the National Council for Mental Wellbeing, in collaboration with the Morehouse School of Medicine’s African American Behavioral Health Center of Excellence (AABH-COE).