AETC-NMC | Curricula

Summary

The “triple whammy” of being African American, being HIV-positive, and having a mental disorder presents a complex knot of challenges to both individuals and their communities. The historical issues of racism, discrimination, and related economic disadvantages (inadequate income, limited employment prospects and homelessness) mean that African Americans are more vulnerable to situations in which mental disorders can develop and HIV infection can be transmitted. These include:

Lack of access to the educational programs that can reduce HIV transmission
Life stressors that can be conducive to the development of serious mental disorders (depression, anxiety disorders, schizophrenia)
Limited access to medical services and mental health services that can both reduce vulnerabilities to HIV infection and mental disorders and can provide treatment for them when do develop

Nevertheless, current and emerging resources can contribute many of the tools needed to begin to untangle this complex knot, and some of those tools will be discussed in Module 4 of the present curriculum.

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	2. Triple Whammy—HIV, Mental Disorders, African Americans Curricula 1 2 3 4 AETC-NMC Home Curricula Home Glossary Feedback

	About Curriculum 2 Introduction Module 1: Context: African Americans, Mental Disorders, and HIV Disease Learning Objectives & Pretraining Assessment The Complex Knot—Being HIV-Positive, African American, With a Mental Disorder African Americans’ Vulnerability to Mental Disorders Evolving Demographics of US Society Patterns of Access to Healthcare Services Substance Abuse and Mental Health Issues HIV, Vulnerable Populations, and African Americans Summary References Assessment Questions Module 2: What Is a Mental Disorder? Learning Objectives & Pretraining Assessment Depression Depression Among African Americans Treatment of Depression Bipolar Disorder DSM Criteria for Bipolar Disorder Treatment Anxiety Disorders Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Panic Disorder Other Anxiety Disorders Treating Anxiety Disorders Anxiety Disorders Among African Americans Schizophrenia How Is Schizophrenia Treated? Psychosocial Treatments Schizophrenia Among African Americans Mental Health–Seeking Habits of African Americans References Ethnopsychopharmacology Considerations References Summary Assessment Questions Module 3: HIV Infection and Mental Disorders Learning Objectives & Pretraining Assessment Incidence of Mental Disorders in the United States Associations Between HIV Disease and Mental Disorders Treatment of Mental Disorders in HIV-Infected Patients Summary References Assessment Questions Module 4: Untying the Knot Learning Objectives & Pretraining Assessment Barriers to Obtaining Appropriate Diagnosis and Care Mental Health Services Sector Role of Multicultural Organizations Employing Nonstandard Therapeutic Tools Role of Spirituality Music Therapy Review and Further Resources Summary References Assessment Questions Case Studies Suggested Activities	Summary The “triple whammy” of being African American, being HIV-positive, and having a mental disorder presents a complex knot of challenges to both individuals and their communities. The historical issues of racism, discrimination, and related economic disadvantages (inadequate income, limited employment prospects and homelessness) mean that African Americans are more vulnerable to situations in which mental disorders can develop and HIV infection can be transmitted. These include: Lack of access to the educational programs that can reduce HIV transmission Life stressors that can be conducive to the development of serious mental disorders (depression, anxiety disorders, schizophrenia) Limited access to medical services and mental health services that can both reduce vulnerabilities to HIV infection and mental disorders and can provide treatment for them when do develop Nevertheless, current and emerging resources can contribute many of the tools needed to begin to untangle this complex knot, and some of those tools will be discussed in Module 4 of the present curriculum. « BACK NEXT »
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2. Triple Whammy—HIV, Mental Disorders, African Americans

Summary