The Journal of Adolescent Health says one of the greatest barriers for students of color accessing mental health services on college campuses is the lack of culturally diverse counselors, psychologists and psychiatrists. According to the Healthy Minds survey published in 2023, more than 60% of college students met the criteria for at least one mental health problem, which is an increase of about 50% since 2013.
While mental health affects students of all races, creeds and nationalities, only 23% of Asian students, 26% of Black students, and 33% of Latino students are likely to seek assistance from a mental health professional. These figures are compared to 46% of White students seeking assistance.
(L-R): Dr. Reginald Jefferson ‘96, Assistant Director; Dr. Napoleon Higgins ‘94, Psychiatrist; Mr. Daniel Neuls ’96 ‘97, Professional Counselor; Lieutenant Colonel Willie J. Harris, Jr. ‘94, Professional Counselor
NEA Today suggests that a major reason for this disparity is that there aren’t enough counselors who look like their patients. The Association for University and College Counseling Center Director details in their 2018 survey that 72% of counselors are White, and only 11% are Black.
Additionally, African American males are significantly underrepresented in mental health careers, with only 2% of psychiatrists and 4% of psychological counselors in the field. Because of this scarcity, it can be difficult for African Americans to find counselors with whom they feel comfortable enough to reveal trauma that is race-related with someone they can trust. At HBCUs, the majority of counseling center staff are women, with African American males representing 1% in this field, according to Black Enterprise.
Dr. Bernadine Duncan
In lieu of the shortage of African American males in mental health careers nationwide, Prairie View A&M University has an unprecedented number of African American male therapists in its Student Counseling Services who stand qualified to give back to the university that developed them as undergraduate students. These four professionals, Dr. Reginald Jefferson, Daniel Neuls, Lt. Col. Willie J. Harris, and Dr. Napoleon Higgins, have aspired to higher educational and professional pursuits before returning to their alma mater to provide mental health services to those students who need them.
In celebration of Black History Month, we salute them.
Dr. Bernadine Duncan is the Director of Student Counseling Services at Prairie View A&M University. Currently enrolled students at PVAMU can make an appointment any time by calling 936-261-3564.