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Doreen C. Okeh

Ms. Mary Curtin

Independent Research G/T

11 March 2019

Data Collection Instrument: Interview Questions

The following is a list of interviewees which have successfully been interviewed, or have been
contacted for an interview taking place in the near future:

African American mental health corporation ​(info@ourselvesblack.com)

Bhealthall Information (bhealthall@blackmentalhealth.com)
Dr. Hassan Rapp, clinical psychologist (hmrapp62@hotmail.com)
Dr. Sarah Y. Vinson, ​child & adolescent, adult & forensic psychiatrist
(​officemanager@loriophychgroup.com​)
NAMI (​info.namihc@gmail.com​)
Toyin Fasosin, mental health first aid specialist ​(tfasosin@gmail.com)
Vicky Coffee (​Vicky.coffee@austinutexas.edu​)
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Toyin Fasosin, Youth Mental Health First Aid Instructor

1. Can you please elaborate on the major differences in treating black individuals in

comparison to any other racial group?

2. How can untreated mental illness and neglect of the topic hinder afflicted individuals in a

long-term period?

3. What efforts do you believe can be done to reduce the gap between religious leaders and

mental health professionals in deciding the proper care for a patient?

4. The African American community is in the midst of many demanding issues such as the

continuous battle against police brutality and the Black Lives Matter movement. Do you

believe these issues take away from the needed attention and discussion about mental

health within the black community?

5. To what extent do you believe African Americans hesitate to seek professional assistance

due to family opinions and influence?

6. What do you believe is the most important factor for mental health professionals such as

yourself to consider while treating African American patients?

Dr. Sarah Y. Vinson, Triple Board certified ​child & adolescent, adult & forensic psychiatrist

1. Can you please elaborate on the major differences in treating black individuals in

comparison to any other racial group?

2. How important do you believe cultural competency is in caring for a patient with a

diverse background?
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3. ​To what extent do you believe African Americans hesitate to seek professional

assistance due to familial influence and their weight of importance to an individual?

4. To what extent do you believe mental illness discussion is limited because of unspoken

social stigma?

5. Why do you believe discussion about mental illness is more limited in the black

community than other non-ethnic racial demographics?

a. Do you believe these limitations are self-implied?

6. The African American community is in the midst of many demanding issues such as the

continuous battle against police brutality and the Black Lives Matter movement. Do you

believe these issues take away from the needed attention and discussion about mental

health within the black community?

7. It is true that over 80% of black individuals are religious. What efforts do you believe

can be done to reduce the gap between religious leaders and mental health professionals

in deciding the proper care for a patient?

General Questions for African American interviewees which have dealt with mental health issues

1. When dealing with your mental illness, did you find it difficult to discuss your issues

with your family?

a. Can you please explain why?

2. Was there ever a time which you felt obligated into relying on religion to heal rather than

a certified mental health clinic?

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3. Have you ever felt like discussing your mental health opens doors for your family to be

socially critiqued?

4. Do you believe you are seen by others as your illness rather than yourself?