Minority Mental Health - Understanding the Barriers

by: Kristen Shook, Marketing Specialist, Eastern Region

Some minorities have grown up in a culturally repressed atmosphere when it comes to addressing or openly speaking about mental health challenges. Many cultures neglect to discuss issues such as depression, anxiety, and other forms of distress. Often, if an individual brought up their mental health struggle, it appears to be often rejected or overlooked. According to Mental Health America, “Multiracial people were the most likely to screen positive or at-risk for alcohol/substance use disorders, anxiety, depression, eating disorder, and psychosis.” It is important to address the systematic upbringing and disparities that have been developed historically to minority groups in the United States. Thankfully, as a society, we are beginning to break down the stigma and address systematic inequalities.  

Understanding the Barriers - BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, and People of Color) This concept can be carried out as well in the way we refer to BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, and People of Color). The continued use of “minority or marginalized” sets up BIPOC communities in terms of their quantity instead of their quality and removes their personhood.  

There are several barriers to overcome for minorities to get the adequate mental health resources they deserve. Determinants include personal, social, economic, and environmental factors. Internalized stigma regarding reaching out for mental health assistance or services can impact an individual. Those who have grown up learning to hold in personal challenges or not speak about having negative thoughts such as depression, anxiety, or even suicidal ideations can inhibit one from seeking counseling. The National Library of Medicine states, “Minorities in the United States are more likely than whites to delay or fail to seek mental health treatment.” An individual who is coping with a mental illness may not be aware of the resources available, which in turn hinders their likelihood to get the care they need.  

Socioeconomic factors also deter individuals from finding adequate access to mental health care or counseling. The community one grows up in impacts their thoughts and beliefs. If it is a cultural norm to suppress and neglect mental health, it will carry on until the belief is changed. Neighborhood access and development is crucial to the ability to receive quality healthcare. Impoverished neighborhoods often lack the resources necessary to address the needs of the community. Economic stability within the family or individual is essential for receiving such services. Having insurance to cover costs associated with mental health services is often an overlooked barrier. Revisiting current community and health access models is critical to properly address the inequalities present in BIOPIC populations. 

Improving Access 

Improving access to care takes time and community collaboration. Connections to existing community resources must be made to truly move forward in addressing the present disparities. There needs to be a cohesive understanding of the overall mission and vision of what improved access to health care looks like. Building a team of champions from stakeholders in the communities who will be impacted by the implementation of these changes is crucial to ensure needs are truly being met in an empowering way.  

Access can be improved though a variety of ways such as additional locations of current mental health care resources, implementation of telehealth options, improvement within communities regarding their resources, and access to transportation to existing services. Existing providers may consider adding satellite office locations within community centers, seeking additional funding to assist those of the BIOPIC population, or operating within a sliding pay scale service for those who are under or uninsured.  

How Providers can Address Issues  

Mental health professionals and providers can help BIOPIC individuals by developing partnerships with other organizations that offer the services and resources that are inclusive and specializing in serving diverse populations. Having a resource guide and a network to outsource individuals seeking specified treatment or services your organization may not have is important. Everyone should have the opportunity to have the option of choice. Those of diverse cultural backgrounds or ethnicities may seek providers who have similarities; individuals should have access to health providers they can connect with.  

Diversifying staff members, treatment providers, and professionals within your organization is the most impactful way to begin making a difference. Spending time to learn about other cultures and ethnicities to be aware of differences is vital in the field of mental health and substance use disorder providers.  Creating access to funding for minorities to be trained, attend school, and become licensed in the mental health profession is also necessary to expand opportunities for all. A 2019 survey completed by Health Resources and Services Administration found that racial and ethnic minority groups represented only 21% of psychologists although 42% of the substance abuse and behavioral disorder counselors were represented by non-white individuals. Continuing to create sustainable growth opportunities for BIOPIC individuals will have a positive impact on minorities seeking mental health care.  

Supporting BIOPIC Mental Health  

Supporting the mental health of minorities comes in many ways and can be done by anyone. Becoming informed on the challenges faced, building a knowledge base of resources, and simply taking time to listen and understand can be impactful. Becoming informed and learning of other cultures, ethnicities, and racial differences and disparities allows more insight into barriers and/or challenges our community members may face. Most importantly, be an ally.  

Sources:  

 https://mhanational.org/infographic-bipoc-and-lgbtq-mental-health  https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3928067/#:~:text=Minorities%20in%20the%20United%20States,to%20seek%20mental%20health%20treatment.&text=After%20entering%20care%2C%20minority%20patients,treatments%20for%20depression%20and%20anxiety.  

https://www.ahrq.gov/sites/default/files/wysiwyg/research/findings/nhqrdr/2021qdr.pdf