Why minority mental health awareness is important

3-minute read

The effects of racial inequality touch many aspects of society, including healthcare. In honor of National Minority Health Month, we wanted to address one particular concern for people of color: mental health services.

Minority mental health awareness begins with a better understanding of what minority groups face. Build your knowledge about the current issues and how some potential solutions could help.

Factors contributing to minority mental health disparities

Mental health conditions don't discriminate. Anyone can develop mental illness, regardless of color, gender identity, sexual orientation or identity, or religion. Racial and ethnic minorities tend to face similar mental health concerns as white people, but their experiences can be more challenging. Many factors can make getting mental health care harder for minorities, including:

Social stigma — Stigma continues to block many people from seeking mental health treatment. Stigma refers to the prejudice and discrimination people with mental illness encounter. In addition to social stigma, some racial and ethnic minorities face cultural stigma surrounding mental health. A history of mistreatment by the medical system creates distrust among Black Americans, making it harder for many of them to seek mental health treatment. Similarly, some Asian cultures feel mental health services go against their values.

Physical health disparities — Some physical conditions can also affect mental health. Minorities are more likely to develop or die from some diseases and disorders than whites, potentially worsening their mental health challenges. Since minorities may be at higher risk of death for certain physical conditions, their stress level may increase. Without adequate mental health support, conditions like anxiety and depression may persist, potentially leading to long-term mental illness.

Consider the following statistics:

• Cancer: Hispanic men and women are twice as likely to be diagnosed with and die from liver and stomach cancer as non-Hispanic white men and women.
  
• Diabetes: 60% more Black adults are diagnosed with diabetes than non-Hispanic white adults.
  
• Hypertension: Black women are about 60% more likely to have high blood pressure than non-Hispanic white women.

Access to mental health services — Certain logistical problems can limit access to mental health treatment for minorities, keeping them from the help they need. Those problems include inadequate health insurance and lack of mental health providers with knowledge of how to assist minorities.

Racism — Racism is a big concern for many minorities. They may have encountered racism first-hand in a healthcare setting from a provider or heard friends or loved ones tell stories about medical discrimination. In both cases, concerns about racism can influence people's decision not to seek mental health treatment.

Solutions to mental health disparities

As with all social change, the first step to finding a solution is generating awareness about the issues facing minority groups. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services has an Office of Minority Health to create programs and policies designed to improve the health and wellness of racial and ethnic minorities. One of their efforts includes National Minority Mental Health Awareness Month. Observed each July, it focuses on the unique problems racial and ethnic minorities have with mental illness. The office works with state and local leaders to provide resources to address these challenges.

How healthcare providers can help

Clinicians can also contribute to a more equitable system — and many are. Here's what hospitals and practices can do:

• Take a preventive approach to mental health by screening patients for different illnesses during appointments.
• Share educational materials to inform patients about mental health conditions and ensure they're available in multiple languages.
• Hire therapists and counselors to reflect patients in their communities.
• Train current providers to be more culturally sensitive.

Learning about mental health can help patients understand their or a loved one's condition. Sharing this information with others in your community can increase their knowledge, enabling more awareness and self-advocacy. Awareness of mental health issues and disparities is only part of the solution. Patients often need professional help to manage mental illness.

Reid Health is dedicated to ensuring equitable healthcare for all. We do not discriminate based on race, color, national origin, age, disability, or sex, nor do we discriminate based on pregnancy, gender identity, or sex stereotyping. Learn more about our nondiscrimination policy.