Black men face unique socio-cultural challenges that elevate their risk for psychiatric disorders, compounded by significant treatment inequities that have extended to Black youth. Between 2000 and 2020, suicide rates among Black and Latino/a youth aged 10-19 increased by 78%, and from 2018 to 2021, suicide rates among Black individuals aged 10-24 rose by 37%. Despite these alarming trends, less than 30% of Black and Latino Americans with mental health conditions seek care through traditional clinics, with African Americans and Mexican Americans having the lowest depression treatment rates in the U.S.
The concept of “John Henryism,” introduced by epidemiologist Sherman James, describes individuals with a strong tendency to engage in high-effort coping against social and economic adversity, often at significant physiological cost. Studies link John Henryism to chronic stress, hypertension, mental illness, and premature death, with psychosocial stressors like structural racism identified as key contributors. The connection between such stress and cardiovascular disease is well-documented, with evidence highlighting psychosocial factors as major contributors to chronic illness and reduced life expectancy.
The mental health impacts of John Henryism are particularly severe among Black adults with major depressive disorder (MDD), who experience greater illness burden and more severe symptoms but receive less treatment compared to White adults. Structural racism is a foundational driver of these disparities, prompting calls within the mental health field to address its pervasive effects.
This session examines the rise in suicidal thoughts and behaviors among Black boys and men through the lens of John Henryism. Participants will learn to identify those most vulnerable to John Henryism, understand associated risk factors, and explore novel community-based interventions like faith-based programming to engage Black men in mental health care. The session also highlights advocacy strategies for addressing social and economic inequalities, improving access to education and healthcare, and promoting economic advancement to mitigate these disparities.
Format
Recorded webinar, non-interactive, self-paced distance learning activity.
This presentation was recorded at the 2024 American Psychiatric Association Annual Meeting.
Learning Objectives
- Identify socio-cultural factors that contribute to racial disparities in mental health care
- Define the of “John Henryism” and understand its medical impact of on African American men and boys
- Identify how faith-based organizations can promote community healing and partner with academic medical centers to improve health outcomes
- Gain examples of culturally responsive methods of engaging Black men in mental health treatment
- Identify risk factors and causes of the risk of suicidal behaviors in Black men and boys
Target Audience
Medical Students, Residents/Fellows, Psychiatrists
Estimated Time to Complete
Estimated Duration: 1.5 hours
Begin Date: January 1, 2025
End Date: January 1, 2028
How to Earn Credit
Participants who wish to earn AMA PRA Category 1 Credit ™ or a certificate of participation may do so by completing all sections of the course including the evaluation. After evaluating the program, course participants will be provided with an opportunity to claim hours of participation and print an official CME certificate (physicians) or certificate of participation (non-physicians) showing the event date and hours earned.
Continuing Education Credit
In support of improving patient care, the American Psychiatric Association is jointly accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME), the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE), and the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC), to provide continuing education for the healthcare team.
Physicians
The APA designates this enduring activity for a maximum of 1.50 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit ™. Physicians should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.
Faculty and Planner Disclosures
The American Psychiatric Association adheres to the ACCME’s Standards for Integrity and Independence in Accredited Continuing Medical Education. Any individuals in a position to control the content of a CME activity — including faculty, planners, reviewers or others — are required to disclose all relevant financial relationships with ineligible entities (commercial interests). All relevant conflicts of interest have been mitigated prior to the commencement of the activity.
Program Presenters
Program Planners
- Vishal Madaan, MD. Chief of Education and Deputy Medical Director, APA.
Accessibility for Participants with Disabilities
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Technical Requirements
This internet-based CME activity is best experienced using any of the following:
- The latest and 2nd latest public versions of Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, or Safari
- Internet Explorer 11+
This Web site requires that JavaScript and session cookies be enabled. Certain activities may require additional software to view multimedia, presentation, or printable versions of the content. These activities will be marked as such and will provide links to the required software. That software may be: Adobe Acrobat Reader, Microsoft PowerPoint, and Windows Media Player.
Optimal System Configuration:
- Browser: Google Chrome (latest and 2nd latest version), Safari (latest and 2nd latest version), Internet Explorer 11.0+, Firefox (latest and 2nd latest version), or Microsoft Edge (latest and 2nd latest version)
- Operating System: Windows versions 8.1+, Mac OS X 10.5 (Leopard) +, Android (latest and 2nd latest version), or iOS/iPad OS (latest and 2nd latest version)
- Internet Connection: 1 Mbps or higher
Minimum Requirements:
- Windows PC: Windows 8.1 or higher; 1 GB (for 32-bit)/2 GB (for 64-bit) or higher RAM; Microsoft DirectX 9 graphics device with WDDM driver; audio playback with speakers for programs with video content
- Macintosh: Mac OS X 10.5 or higher with latest updates installed; Intel, PowerPC G5, or PowerPC G4 (867MHz or faster) processor; 512 MB or higher RAM; audio playback with speakers for programs with video content
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