RALEIGH, N.C. — During Black History Month, Spectrum News 1 is taking a deeper look into mental health in African American communities.

Research from Columbia University Department of Psychiatry reveals African American adults are 20% more likely to experience mental health problems.

What You Need To Know

  • Research from Columbia University Department of Psychiatry reveals African American adults are 20% more lilkely to experience mental health problems 
  •  Mental health experts say one of the factors that makes a person less likely to ask for help is shame

  •  Mental health experts say lack of representation is another factor that makes it difficult to tackle mental health issues

That same research reveals there are a lot of disparities in addressing mental health in Black communities. 

Licensed clinical mental health counselor Laura Harris with ThriveWorks in Raleigh works to break the stigma in the African American community, where it's often times considered taboo to ask for help.

Laura Harris with ThriveWorks in Raleigh works to tackle the disparities in mental health.

"Stigmas imply social disapproval and lead to to discrimination or exclusion against a person, specifically within the Black community, mental health stigmas make it less likely that a person will ask for and receive services," Harris said.

Harris said the four factors that make a person less inclined to ask for help include shame, cultural appropriateness, lack of accessibility and lack of research.

"Misdiagnosis, treatment integrity, having a provider that's the same race. Historically Blacks have not been a part of research and therefore symptoms and experiences are less considered," Harris added.

Harris recommends counselors be trained on mental health trauma and have knowledge about how to provide the best diverse backgrounds.

Harris said cultural competency impacts three areas: recognizing diversity, increasing capacity for cultural self assessment and willingness to adapt.