July is National Minority Mental Health Awareness Month. It is observed to bring awareness to the unique struggles that racial and ethnic minority communities face regarding mental illness in the United States.
Throughout the month, the Health and Human Services Office of Minority Health will focus on promoting tools and resources addressing the stigma about mental health among racial and ethnic minority populations. Stigma is a mark of disgrace associated with a particular circumstance, quality, or person. The stigma surrounding mental health disorders leads to many people hiding their struggles and avoiding getting the help they need. Research shows that those struggling experience discrimination in all aspects of society, including work, and housing experiences.
Cultural differences and communication issues also contribute to poor health outcomes. Statistically, minorities are more likely to live in poverty. Lack of income triggers depression, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress disorder.
Challenges that minorities face when it comes to mental health are mainly related to environmental and cultural factors like social norms, discrimination, racism, and poverty. These variables perpetuate trauma and make it more difficult to get the help that’s needed. According to the US Surgeon General, minorities are less likely to receive a diagnosis and treatment for their mental illness, have less access to and availability of mental health service, often receive poor quality mental health care, and are under- represented in mental health research.
Here are some statistics that help explain the disparities inherent in mental health among minority populations from Synergy Health Programs. Minority groups are African-Americans, Hispanics, Asian-Americans and Naïve-Americans.
- In 2017, 41.5% of youth ages 12-17 received care for a major depressive episode, but only 35.1% of black youth and 32.7% of Hispanic youth received treatment for their condition. They are more likely to use emergency rooms or primary care (rather than mental health specialists).
- African Americans are 20% more likely to report serious psychological distress than the rest of the population and less likely to receive guideline-consistent care.
- Asian American adults are less likely to use mental health service than any other racial/ethnic group.
- Among young adults ages 18-24, Native Americans have higher rates of suicide than any other ethnicity and higher rate than the general population.
- LGBTQ individuals are more than twice as likely as heterosexual men and women to have a mental health disorder in their lifetime.
Social determinants of mental health
Disparities in minority care include barriers to medical access due to lack of insurance coverage. More than half of uninsured U.S. residents are people of color. Logistical barriers like time off from work, child- care, and lack of transportation are also significant. Cultural differences and communication issues also contribute to poor health outcomes. Statistically, minorities are more likely to live in poverty. Lack of income triggers depression, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress disorder.
There is a lack of qualified professionals and lack of diversity among mental health providers who have a low level of understanding about the different mental health needs across minority groups. This leads to cultural insensitivities and ultimate negative health outcomes. Provider discrimination also lowers the quality of care. Racism is the most studied form of discrimination. Implications for the mental health of minorities are revealed in these studies. Although provider discrimination and cultural microaggressions can be subtle, implications are great. Including failure of the clinician to recommend treatment.
Primary care providers can help break down barriers by educating themselves and others on the ethnic and cultural gaps among the patient population. Providers should understand how perception influences interactions with patients from other cultures and become a good listener. By helping the minority patient feel safe and understood, they may feel empowered to get the mental health care they need and deserve.
As an individual or caregiver, don’t be afraid to advocate for yourself or the needs of your loved one. Finding the right provider is essential to ensure the delivery of quality care. The right provider should be someone you can trust, who understands your identity, treats you with dignity and respect and provides culturally competent care.
When meeting with a provider, don’t be afraid to ask questions. This helps the provider understand what is important to you. Here are some sample questions:
- Have you received training in cultural competence for black mental health? If not, how do you plan to provide me with culturally sensitive, patient centered care?
- Do you see our cultural backgrounds influencing our communication?
- Do you use a different approach in your treatment plan when working with patients from different cultural backgrounds?
- Tell me about your experience with differences in health outcomes for Black clients.
Upon completion of your session with the health care professional, you should feel like you were heard and respected. Here are some questions to ask yourself?
- Did my provider communicate effectively with me?
- Is my provider willing to integrate my beliefs, practices, identity and cultural background into the treatment plan?
- Was I treated with respect and dignity?
- Do I feel like my provider understands and relates well with me?
If you or someone you know is having difficulty finding help, call the National Treatment Referral Helpline at 800-662-4357. Become an advocate for change. Write, call, or talk to legislators to support efforts to improve access to and the quality of mental health services.
###
