An exploration of mental health literacy among older African Americans

Abstract

The intent of this exploratory descriptive study was to examine mental health literacy (MHL) with 28 African American elders who reside in Kentucky. Collectively, all elders were partially literate of mental disorders and familiar with self-help and professional interventions and Alzheimer's and depression were the most recognized mental disorders. An awareness of MHL is an essential first step to understanding African American elders’ views about mental health which then can facilitate the design and development of culturally relevant psychoeducational programs geared to this subset of the aging population.

Keywords:

• mental illness
• mental health literacy
• African American
• elders