Coping with food insecurity among African American in public-sector mental health services: A qualitative study

Since there is very little research on the ways in which African Americans in public-sector mental health services cope with food insecurity, Myers et al. (2019) decided to analyze the qualitative data from a study on the prevalence and management of food insecurity among African Americans using public sector mental health services. Interviews were held with 21 participants to get their accounts on their everyday experiences with food insecurity and the strategies used to cope with it. High levels of food insecurity were reported. Coping strategies included sharing foods and cooking meals together. These methods appeared to reduce the negative aspect of living with high food insecurity and serious mental illnesses. As a result, Myers et al. concluded that provision of communal gardens and kitchens through public mental health services may help people cope with food insecurity and potentially reduce incidences of mental illness. [NPID: food insecurity, mental health, African Americans, mental illness]

Year: 2019

Reference: Myers, N., Sood, A., Alolayan, Y., Broussard, B., Fox, K., King, K., LoGalbo, E., Thompson, L., & Compton, M. T. (2019). Coping with Food Insecurity Among African American in Public-Sector Mental Health Services: A Qualitative Study. Community mental health journal, 55(3), 440–447. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10597-019-00376-x

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