Executive Summary

Introduction

For the past six months, a group of Milwaukee-based African-American health and social services professionals, shocked and deeply concerned about the assault on poor and vulnerable peoples’ human rights and on the safety nets they depend upon to survive, have been meeting intensively to conceptualize, develop and implement  a new non-profit organization whose primary mission is to provide mental health and social services, with particular emphasis on outreach to the Black community.  That organization is Empathy Mental  https://empathymh.org/. A secondary mission of Empathy is the promotion and achievement of race equity.  A basic premise of the organization is that it is a moral imperative that we must not simply talk about the injustices that are being unleashed, but we must actually do something about them by actively engaging the marketplace.

Racism and Mental Health

1. Because of the history and continuing legacy of racism in our country, Black Americans have a greater need for mental health services.
2. The American Psychological Association has defined racism as a pandemic. Among the consequences of racism, studies have documented psychological and emotional distress, post-traumatic stress disorder, depression, anxiety, obsessive-compulsive symptoms, low self-esteem, chronic stress, alcohol and substance abuse, and increased school dropout rates.
3. Racism in America is not a simple, isolated issue but a complex social pattern that operates at multiple levels. It permeates cultural, structural, and interpersonal dimensions, making it a deeply ingrained part of our society.
4. Milwaukee has significant mental health challenges, with 1 in 4 adults experiencing a mental health condition. The stress, anxiety, and untreated mental health conditions can lead to impulsive and violent actions, such as carjackings.
5. People of color in Milwaukee County have the highest percentage of diagnosed mental health conditions, with 45% of Hispanic or Latino, 33% of Black, and 29% of other populations affected. Black and Indigenous adults also have the highest rates of ER visits due to mental health issues. Addressing these mental health challenges through better access to services and support is crucial in reducing violence and ensuring the safety of our community.
6. Between 2018 and 2022, older Black men accounted for 12.5% of all drug deaths in Milwaukee County, despite representing only 2.3% of the population. Their death rate is alarmingly high, being 14.2 times the national average and 5.5 times higher than other county residents.
7. Individuals with mental illness are significantly over-represented in local jails or state and federal prisons. More than one-third of inmates are diagnosed with a mental disorder prior to incarceration. On any given day, more than 1 million people with mental illness are locked up or on probation or parole.
8. Research shows that exposure to community violence can lead to long-term mental health issues such as PTSD, anxiety, and depression. This trauma can perpetuate a cycle of violence, where individuals who experience or witness violence may be more likely to engage in violent behavior themselves.
9. Research shows that exposure to community violence and crime negatively impacts health across the life course. Specifically, direct victimization or witnessing violence is traumatic, significantly increasing the risk of long-term mental health issues, such as posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), anxiety, and depression.
10. The distribution of crime is not random; violence is more likely to occur in communities of color and in disadvantaged neighborhoods. This inequitable distribution of violent crime extends to being a direct victim; for example, Blacks made up 14% of the population in the United States, but accounted for 52% of all homicide victims in 2019. These differences in exposure to crime and violence appear to be important drivers of health inequities.

Services

1. A “medical status” examination, which is a physical health a new patient.
2. A psychiatric diagnostic assessment which involves a comprehensive evaluation of the individual’s mental health.
3. Psychotherapy using specific treatment techniques such as these and many others: Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), which focuses on identifying and changing negative thought patterns and behaviors; Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), which combines CBT with mindfulness techniques to help individuals manage emotions and improve relationships; Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), which encourages acceptance of thoughts and feelings while committing to behavior changes aligned with personal values.
4. Medication Medication-Assisted Therapy (MAT), which is an evidence-based treatment approach that combines the use of medications with counseling and behavioral therapies. This integrated method helps to reduce cravings and withdrawal symptoms, making it easier for individuals to focus on their recovery and achieve long-term success. Examples of these medications include Antidepressants, Antipsychotics, Mood Stabilizers, and Anti-Anxiety Medications.
5. Coordination through counselor case management with other health care providers, including physicians, psychologists, social workers, Advanced Practice Nurse Prescribers, hospitals, and MHEC (Milwaukee Mental Health Emergency Center).
6. Psychoeducation, which is a therapeutic intervention where mental health professionals provide individuals with information about their mental health conditions. This includes details on the causes, symptoms, prognosis, and treatment options for their diagnosed conditions. The goal of psychoeducation is to help individuals understand their mental health better, which can improve their ability to manage their conditions and adhere to treatment plans.

Locations

Empathy Mental Health provides services in the multiple locations including State-licensed  Community-Based Residential Facilities (CBRFs), Adult Family Homes (AFHs), Outpatient Mental Health Clinics, and Crisis Stabilization Centers. Empathy also provides services in nursing homes, in client homes, in prisons, in churches, and in the cloud via telehealth.