THE READING
Stigmatizing Attitudes towards Mental Illness among Racial/ Ethnic Older Adults in Primary Care; the reading says that different races and ethnic groups have various attitudes towards mental illnesses and health. There are perceived stigma on mental illnesses and on various treatment option of mental health. Mental illnesses are mostly associated with old age and the stigma towards those with such conditions is continuing to increase and it is not getting any better. The research on stigmatizing attitudes can help create interventions that can be used to reduce the differences in mental health. the reading says that African Americans were more comfortable speaking to a physician or a mental healthcare professions compared to non-Latino whites. The Latinos, Asian-Americans were embarrassed and never wanted to talk about mental health illnesses and treatments. The reading shows that different races and ethnic groups have different attitudes and stigma towards mental health and engaging in treatment.
Examining the Lack of Portrayals of African American Women and Mental Health; the reading is concerned why mental health of black women is not addressed as it is done on women of other races. The reading says that black women are considered strong and it is perceived that they are less likely to get mental problems. The women of color especially the African Americans were not offered onscreen humanity that addressed mental illnesses in women. Black women are stereotyped as robust and hyper competent who can operate under any circumstance without any complaints. The reading says that the stereotypes can be damaging to the lives of the black women as they may see themselves as extraordinary women who do not face ordinary problems. The black women with depression symptoms may feel that their emotions are invalid ad fail to seek appropriate medical care, and this may affect them grossly later in life. The intersections of what defines the identity of women may affect their mental health; such intersections include; place, class, and place. No matter how affluent or successful a black woman is there will always face discrimination and rejection due to the fact that they are black women. Therefore, issues of mental health on black women should be addressed just like how it is addressed on other women since they are ordinary women who also face ordinary situations.