Community‐Based Participatory Research With Black Churches

Abstract

Black Americans are more likely than other racial/ethnic groups to rely on spiritual and religious resources for mental health support. As such, counselors must seek unique ways to reach and understand Black communities. This article provides an overview of Black Americans' help‐seeking behaviors, the significance and culture of the Black Church, and a framework for counselors and counseling researchers to form effective partnerships to conduct community‐based participatory research initiatives that will produce empirical outcomes and promote culturally responsive mental health and wellness programming in Black communities.

Teaching anti‐racist counseling theories: Black liberation narrative therapy

“…The church's relevance and vitality are evident in scholarly works and popular culture and media. Further, the Black Church is central to the discourse on theology, mental health, and counseling (Avent Harris, 2021; Mohamed, 2021). Culturally, the Black Church is marked in scholarly literature and popular culture and media by its expressive worship style, soul‐stirring gospel music, charismatic preaching, and audience engagement throughout the service (Avent, 2016; Lincoln & Mamiya, 1990; Mohamed, 2021; Stewart, 2021).…”

“…Culturally, the Black Church is marked in scholarly literature and popular culture and media by its expressive worship style, soul‐stirring gospel music, charismatic preaching, and audience engagement throughout the service (Avent, 2016; Lincoln & Mamiya, 1990; Mohamed, 2021; Stewart, 2021). Although the Black Church is well known for its Sunday morning impact, the institution extends beyond the physical building and influences the social, educational, and political fabric of Black Americans’ lives throughout history (Avent Harris, 2021; Dempsey et al., 2016; Lincoln & Mamiya, 1990).…”

“…In fact, almost 50% of Black millennials state that they seldom or never attend church (Mohamed, 2021). However, the Black Church remains an anchor institution in the Black Americans’ ecosystem (Avent Harris, 2021; Avent Harris & Wong, 2018).…”

The Impact of a Culturally Meaningful Storytelling Intervention on Stigma and Attitudes About Mental Health Treatment

“…Stigma is experienced as perceived public stigma (e.g., fear of being treated differently, being devalued or discriminated against by others due to having a mental illness) and internalized stigma (e.g., feelings of shame, guilt, and diminished selfesteem), which deters people seeking mental health care Corrigan and Watson, 2002;Rüsch et al, 2005). Unfortunately, research indicates that mental illness stigma is amplified in the Black community (Avent Harris, 2021;Conner et al, 2009;Givens et al, 2007;Rao et al, 2007;Ward et al, 2013). A recent survey suggests that 63% of African-Americans believe that a mental health condition is a personal sign of weakness and that seeking treatment is a last resort, or not an option at all (National Alliance on Mental Illness, n.d.).…”

“…Black Americans are more likely than Whites to report persistent symptoms of emotional distress and suffer from a higher rate of psychological difficulties (American Psychiatric Association [APA], 2017; US Department of Health and Human Services Office of Minority Health, 2019). The higher incidence of mental distress in the Black community has been associated with prejudice and racism experienced in daily life, lack of access to appropriate and culturally responsive mental health care, and the legacy of historical trauma (Avent Harris, 2021; Monk, 2020; Okazaki, 2009; Wakeel and Njoku, 2021; Williams and Williams-Morris, 2000; Sotero, 2006). Issues related to economic insecurity, disproportionate experiences with violence, criminal injustice, and child welfare further compound these mental health disparities (Garo et al, 2018; Zuvekas and Fleishman, 2008).…”