Digital Health Wave: Effective to Support Mental Health Literacy in the Black Community?

Digital Health Wave: Effective to Support Mental Health Literacy in the Black Community?

Devlon N. Jackson, PhD, MPH

Department of Behavioral and Community Health, School of Public Health, University of Maryland, College Park

Henry Willis, PhD
Social Policy and Practice, University of Pennsylvania; School of Social Work, Columbia University

Kevin Washington, PhD
Department of Psychology / Sociology Grambling State University

Stacey Little, PhD, MPH
Prince George’s Healthcare Coalition

COVID-19 traumatic events such as death, illness, unemployment, stigma, in conjunction with more acts of anti-Blackness have exacerbated the mental health issues of Black America. The lived experience for many Black adults in the U.S. is a different worldview than other racial and ethnic groups, and it is a daily challenge managing the mental health challenges such as stress, anxiety, and depression that are rooted in racism, white supremacy, and oppression. While we hope for an equitable and just society, scientists, providers, and practitioners within the fields of health literacy, health communication, mental health, and public health must consider tools that can be leveraged to support the health and wellness of the Black community.

Digital health tools such as mobile health apps, telemedicine, health websites and wearables have become resources for individuals to find some support in managing their stressors that can be precursors to other mental health conditions. However, these tools are not always equitably tailored, accessible, and available for the Black community. Additionally, it is unclear if those within the Black community engaging with these tools, that their mental health literacy is increasing and as a result their mental health outcomes are improving.

• Identify strategies to use digital health tools with the Black community to improve mental health literacy
• Understand how digital health tools can contribute to exacerbating or eliminating mental health disparities with the Black community
• Name at least 3 examples of digital health tools that Black adults could use for mental health and stress management