The African American experience…
in America has and continues to be characterized by trauma and violence more often than for their White counterparts and impacts emotional and mental health of both youth and adults. Historical dehumanization, oppression, and violence against African American people has evolved into present day racism – structural, institutional, and individual – and cultivates a uniquely mistrustful and less affluent community experience, characterized by a myriad of disparities including inadequate access to and delivery of care in the healthcare system. Help-seeking behavior is affected by mistrust of the medical system and often begins with faith-based outreach. African American people are more likely to experience chronic and persistent, rather than episodic, mental health conditions.

Mental health is an essential part of…
Support Is Important
The Balm In Gilead seeks to mobilize the faith community and raise awareness of the issues affecting Mental Health among African Americans via the capacity development of African American congregations to become an integral partner in:















Increasing awareness about the need for intervention and routine wellness check ups.




















