Current research in which this learner reviewed AAs seeking clinical help for mental illnesses reveals that members of this particular race do not really at the hospital. The National Alliance on Mental Illnesses (NAMI) released the following statements regarding mental health care for AA: • Cultural bias against mental health professionals and health professionals in general prevents many African Americans from Accessing care due to prior experiences with historical misdiagnoses and inadequate treatments. and a lack of cultural understanding; In the United States, only 2 percent of psychiatrists, 2 percent of psychologists, and 4 percent of social workers are African American. • African Americans tend to rely on their family, religious, and social communities for support. emotional support rather than turning to health professionals, although this may sometimes be necessary. The health care providers they seek may not be aware of this important aspect of a person's life (African American Community Mental Health Fact Sheet, n.d.). Although equal opportunity for all races was achieved years ago, the mental health profession lacks a strong AA presence. which is a very likely cause of the lack of care for AA patients. Historically, AA succumbed to the oppression of the Caucasian race while struggling to live up to the standards they had established through their education and profession. Thus, according to this researcher, the study of the specificities of AA lifestyles is either diverted or perceived negatively by other ethnic groups. These attitudes manifest themselves during doctor visits and medical treatments that increase unexplained side effects. Negative Views of AA People of African descent have been viewed negatively by European descendants since the middle of the article......research: an exploratory study. Journal of the National Medical Association, 98(1), 18-27. Retrieved from http://search.proquest.com.library.capella.edu/docview/214053994?accountid=27965Mental Health and African Americans. (2012, December 5). OMH content. Retrieved May 3, 2014, from http://minorityhealth.hhs.gov/templates/content.aspx?lvl=3&lvlID=9&ID=6474Pinkham, AE, PhD., et al. (2008). The other-race effect in face processing in African American and Caucasian individuals with schizophrenia. The American Journal of Psychiatry, 165(5), 639-45. Retrieved from http://search.proquest.com.library.capella.edu/docview/220477743?accountid=27965.Whaley, AL and Hall, BN (2009). Effects of cultural themes in psychotic symptoms on the diagnosis of schizophrenia in African Americans. Mental Health, Religion and Culture, 12(5), 457-471. do I:10.1080/13674670902758273