![Picture](/uploads/4/7/6/9/47697083/5991690_orig.jpg)
Social issues such as discrimination and economic hardship can play a huge role in the higher percentage of African American women experiencing depression. Negative stereotyping and attitudes cause them to be more vulnerable to being subjected to adverse behavior within and outside of their communities. Many serve their community and families leaving them physically and emotionally deprived without time to relax and/or even sleep. Within the larger community images in the media lead to issues concerning body image and identity.
This is where the role of patient advocacy is essential with regards to cultural competency. .Although patient advocates primarily provide information for their patients giving voice to the vulnerable is another concern for nurses and advocates.
Bio-psychosocial Health Model--Correlates all factors associated with health and disease, including: biological, psychological and social.
This is where the role of patient advocacy is essential with regards to cultural competency. .Although patient advocates primarily provide information for their patients giving voice to the vulnerable is another concern for nurses and advocates.
Bio-psychosocial Health Model--Correlates all factors associated with health and disease, including: biological, psychological and social.
![]() Patient Advocacy Advocating for patients has developed into an integral part of the care nurses provide. It is a concept of accountability and more of a moral and ethical principle in regards to nursing. Although patient advocates primarily provide information for their patients giving voice to the vulnerable is another concern for nurses and advocates. There is a growing concern among nurses as to how to change policy. Cultural competency and understanding how to treat African American women with mental disorders is important. The background, social demographics, environment, multifaceted levels of responsibility and racial hostility are all factors in the mental health status of African American women. For more information on Patient Advocacy: RN Patient Advocates For more information on Patient Advocacy: RN Patient Advocates
|
|
Reducing Health Disparity for African American Women with Mental Illness: Creating Dialogue With Patient Advocates & Community
Deliberative dialogue is a communicative strategy process that health care professionals can utilize for conflict resolution and for altering dysfunctional patterns which cause health disparity for African American women with mental illness. The National Issues Forum offers a guide to aid in having dialogues with communities about this sensitive subject.
![]() During the Black Women's Think Tank held at Sinclair Community College in February 2015, I was able to conduct a workshop using the guide from National Issues Forum on Mental Illness. There were 25 Participants who attended the workshop from various walks of life and ages. There were professional women as well as students present. There were women who had retired from the workforce but are active in their community. We had two men present, one of whom was my son also a student who agreed to be my technical support, the other is a college professor. I thought this group was an excellent representation of what an African American community looked like. Dynamics of her Community-- Family, friends, neighbors, co-workers, classmates, members in faith groups and associations. |
![]() It is apparently clear, health disparity among African American women with a mental illness is a grave issue in the United States. However, it is not an unresolvable problem. Using strategic dialogue and the field of patient advocacy/navigation to find solutions to provide insight, innovative ideas and operative solutions. Empowerment of patient advocates/navigators and patients will bring about a paradigm shift within the health care system and the community resulting in parity. Stigma of Disease Stigma refers to negative behavior and social rejection associated with an illness or disease. An individual may be characterized in a negative light or perceived to have "shamed", "dishonored" or "disappointed" themselves, their family and community. The negative behavior towards them can be being ignored, labeled, isolated or even mistreated/abused. |
Response to Dialogue on Addressing Stigma:
Data from Workshop Conducted at Black Women's Think Tank, Sinclair Community College, February 2015, Mental Illness Among African American Women: Addressing the Stigma Collective Efficacy--A community sense and duty of care and social consciousness with the belief that positive change is possible
Releasing Stigma
Be the Change! Answer the following
•What positive words did you exchange? •Consider the impact of these words. •Acknowledge how you could use them. •What atmosphere would you create as a result of them? •Describe this atmosphere. •Does this created atmosphere reduce the stigma? |
Extracted from Data--Likert Scale
Answer the
Following:
•What negative words do you associate with mental illness? •Consider the impact of these words. •Acknowledge how you may have used them. •What atmosphere have you created as a result of them? •Describe this atmosphere. •Does this created atmosphere perpetuate the stigma? |