African Americans have limited access to mental and behavioral
health care Of the nearly 34 million people who identify
themselves as African American, 22% of which live in poverty.
These individuals are at particular risk for mental health
illness due to an overrepresentation in homeless populations,
people who are incarcerated, children in foster care and child
welfare systems, and victims of serious violent crime. [Surgeon
General’s Report: Mental Health, Cultural, Race, Ethnicity,
2001] African Americans Are At-Risk for Mental and Behavioral
Health Problems 40% of youth in the criminal justice system and
45% of children in foster care are African American. [Surgeon
General’s Report: Mental Health, Cultural, Race, Ethnicity,
2001] Psychologists can work to eliminate or reduce behaviors
prevalent in foster care children, such as aggression, fighting,
negativism, and isolation. [APA, Monitor on Psychology 2005]
Over 25% of African American youth exposed to violence have
proven to be at high risk for Post Tra