Addressing the Mental and Behavioral Health Care Needs of the Black Community

WHEREAS, Twenty-one percent (21%) of the Black/African American population in the United States (US) reported having a mental illness in comparison to almost twenty-four percent (23.9%) of the white population according to a 2021 National Survey on Drug Use and Health; and

WHEREAS, Thirty-nine percent (39%) of Black people received mental health services according to the same survey, however fifty-two percent (52%) of white Americans received mental health care; and 

WHEREAS, Black and white Americans have similar prevalence rates of substance use disorder (17%), the survey found differences in unmet treatment needs (16.4% for Black people and 15.7% for white people among other disparities by drug type; and 

WHEREAS, Suicide is a serious public health problem, and is among the leading causes of death for people ages 10-64 years old, rising thirty-six (36%) in the past two decades, and according to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), in 2021, suicide was reported as the second leading cause of death for people ages 10-14 and 20-34; and 

WHEREAS, Suicide has disproportionately impacted Black youth, specifically Black girls and Black men; it ranked as the third leading cause of death among the Black/African American population ages 10-24, and Black/African American men ages 25-34; the CDC report revealed a nearly thirty-seven percent (36.6%) rise in suicide in Black youth ages 10 to 24, with Black girls having the highest amount of suicide attempts — as a group American Indian and Alaska Native youth have even higher rates of suicide; and 

WHEREAS, Black Americans and other communities of color experience barriers to mental and behavioral health care as defined by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMSHA) including systemic racism and discrimination, mental health stigma, less satisfaction with the system of care including past negative encounters, provider shortage, including too few Black mental health providers — only 2% of psychiatrists and 4% of psychologists are Black — and a lack of socially and culturally fluent providers, including language-related needs; and 

WHEREAS, A CDC report released in 2023 showed that nearly 775,000 mental health-related emergency department (ED) visits occurred each year from 2018 to 2020, which accounted for about twelve percent (12.3%) of all adult ED visits — over fifty-six percent (56.3%) of these visits occurred in adult ages 18-44; and 

WHEREAS, CDC analysis showed that Black adults from 2018-2020 visited the emergency department (ED) for mental health care at a rate two times the national average, far exceeding rates for their white and Hispanic peers. Black people had higher ED utilization for mental illness across all categories: substance use disorders, anxiety disorders, mood disorders, and schizophrenia; specifically for substance use disorder, again, the rate was double that of white and Hispanic persons, and across all types of substances, Black patients had the highest ED utilization rates; and 

WHEREAS, Kaiser Family Foundation research has shown that people of color have higher rates of underdiagnosis and undertreatment of mental health conditions which may help explain the trends of higher suicide and drug overdose deaths; and

WHEREAS, Black patients were more likely to wait an hour or more to be seen by healthcare staff than their white peers, both Black and Hispanic people were more likely to have a visit that lasted over four hours; Black patients were only admitted or transferred to a hospital for mental health treatment 15.6% of the time, compared to 22.5% and 21.3% for white and Hispanic adults, respectively as described by the 2021 National Survey on Drug Use and Health; and 

WHEREAS, Wider gender differences were seen among Black and Hispanic patients: Black men were nearly fifty-six percent (55.8%) of those seen vs. Black women being roughly forty-four percent (44.2%) of mental health ED visits, and Hispanic men were 57.1% v. Hispanic women at almost forty-three percent (42.9%) according to the 2021 National Survey on Drug Use and Health; and 

WHEREAS, The COVID-19 pandemic and Long COVID have highlighted the need for increased support and resources for mental health in the workplace and exacerbated existing mental health challenges, with many individuals experiencing increased stress, anxiety, and depression due to isolation, economic insecurity, and other factors; and 

WHEREAS, 988, the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline, offers direct access to free, confidential, and compassionate care and support nationwide 24/7 for anyone experiencing mental health related distress – whether thoughts of suicide, mental health, substance use crisis, or any other kind of emotional distress, or anyone worried about a loved one who may need crisis support. 

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the NAACP reaffirms its 2020, 2019, 2015, 2012 and 2001 Resolutions for comprehensive mental and behavioral health care that meets the pressing needs of the Black community and other historically marginalized groups. 

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the NAACP urges Congress to pass comprehensive legislation to provide equitable access to culturally tailored mental and behavioral health care across various care settings and the lifespan through items such as the Pursuing Equity in Mental Health Act, the bill to amend Title VII of the Public Health Service Act (to strengthen the mental health workforce), and the Improving Mental Health in Schools Act. 

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the NAACP urges all employers to provide reasonable accommodations for individuals with mental illness, including flexible work hours and access to mental health resources such as therapy and counseling services, mental health days, and medical leave of absence without penalty or discrimination. 

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the NAACP calls for comprehensive, culturally tailored access to mental health resources for communities disproportionately impacted by mental illness, such as Black and Brown communities, LGBTQ+ populations, and people living in concentrated poverty and resource-deprived settings. 

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the NAACP advocates across all levels of government and diverse sectors for whole person care and wellbeing, including access to robust mental and behavioral health care and works to elevate the understanding of how stigma and bias drive mental illness in our communities, and rather the importance of holistic wellness and social connectedness in achieving health promotion and disease prevention. 

BE IT FINALLY RESOLVED, that the NAACP commits to raising awareness within the Black community about the individual and community level supports (i.e., 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline, Mental Health First Aid, Grassroots Advocate Support Groups), stressors, and risk factors which influence mental health and to promoting mental hygiene through the lifespan to help achieve mental health equity.