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Eira Yates, Ph.D. is a 2026 graduate of the PhD Program in Leadership and Change at Antioch University.

eira yates committee

Eira Yates at her Dissertation Defense.

From L-R: Dr. Woden Teachout, Committee Member, Dr. Karin Cadwell, Committee Member, Dr. Jennifer Raymond, Committee Chair.

Dissertation Committee

  • Jennifer Raymond, PhD, Committee Chair
  • Woden Teachout, PhD, Committee Member
  • Karin Cadwell, PhD, Committee Member

Keywords

Black men’s mental health, African American men’s mental health, culturally responsive care, racial disparities in mental health care, Delphi methodology

Document Type

Dissertation

Publication Date

2026

Abstract

This study examines the barriers that prevent Black men in Ohio from seeking treatment for depression and other mental health conditions and explores strategies to improve engagement and outcomes. Although depression is the most prevalent mental health disorder in the United States, it remains underdiagnosed and undertreated among Black men, contributing to persistent mental health disparities. The limited body of research addressing help-seeking behaviors within this population necessitated the use of a Delphi methodology to obtain expert consensus on key challenges and promising practices. A panel of subject-matter experts in mental health, social services, and culturally responsive care participated in multiple rounds of structured questionnaires. Data from each round were analyzed and refined into subsequent questionnaires, culminating in a final round designed to achieve consensus. The findings do not present prescriptive intervention models; rather, they provide guidance to inform future research and support community agencies and service providers in developing culturally affirming environments for Black men seeking mental health services. Results indicate a relationship between culturally responsive engagement strategies and increased motivation for treatment-seeking among Black men. Key barriers identified include challenges related to diagnosis, access to care, availability of culturally competent providers, geographic accessibility of services, and continuity of follow-up care. The study highlights significant inequities in mental health service delivery for Black men compared to White men and Black women in Ohio, reflecting broader national disparities and underscoring the need for systemic and culturally responsive solutions. This dissertation is available in open access at AURA (https://aura.antioch.edu) and OhioLINK ETD Center (https://etd.ohiolink.edu).

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eira yates

Eira Yates

ORCID No.:  #0009-0000-9914-0924

Dr. Eira Yates is a strategic leader with over 20 years of experience advancing equity, strengthening community-based systems, and leading high-impact initiatives across nonprofit, healthcare, and educational settings. Her work focuses on improving outcomes for underserved communities through data-informed strategy, program development, and organizational leadership.

Dr. Yates has led complex, multi-stakeholder initiatives that integrate community engagement, implementation science, and systems alignment to address disparities in health, mental health, and access to care. She brings deep expertise in program design, evaluation, and continuous improvement, with a proven ability to translate vision into measurable results.

A skilled leader of teams and partnerships, Dr. Yates has successfully guided cross-functional staff, cultivated relationships with public and private sector stakeholders, and secured funding through grants and strategic collaborations. Her leadership approach emphasizes accountability, innovation, and building sustainable solutions that are responsive to community needs.

In addition to her executive leadership experience, Dr. Yates is committed to advancing equity and belonging within organizations. She has led professional development initiatives, supported inclusive organizational practices, and worked to strengthen leadership capacity across diverse teams.

Dr. Yates holds a Ph.D. and remains dedicated to leveraging research, data, and community voice to inform practice and drive systemic change.

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