Common Mental Health Challenges Faced By Arab-American Individuals And Families

Experts estimate that there are nearly four million Arab Americans in the US. However, the exact number is unknown, largely because the US Census Bureau only just introduced an Arab-American category—which some argue may still be too limited. This is a new development as of March 2024. Previously, people of Middle Eastern or North African (MENA) descent were typically categorized in the census as white. 

This historical practice of incorrectly categorizing Arab Americans has major implications for both mental health research and policy. Gaining a complete understanding of mental health in Arab-American families is difficult due to this constraint. That said, the research that has been conducted suggests that Arab Americans often face mental health challenges and needs that differ from those of non-Arab Americans.

Disparities in the mental health of Arab Americans

Addressing mental health in Arab-American individuals and families must begin by acknowledging the disparities in the mental and physical health of this population. Research indicates that Arab Americans report worse mental health than non-Arab white Americans do. For example, 60% of Arab Americans in one small study reported experiencing depression, which is much higher than the rate of depression found in the general US population. More research is needed, but Arab Americans may also face higher rates of anxiety and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

In addition to likely experiencing certain mental illnesses at a higher-than-average rate, Arab Americans also seem to receive mental health treatment at a lower-than-average rate. There are many factors that may contribute to Arab Americans not receiving formal mental health services as much as other groups do. First, there are structural barriers, such as higher rates of living without health insurance, living in poverty, or lacking transportation. 

Language barriers and a lack of cultural competence among mental health care providers can contribute, too. There may also be cultural mental health stigma in some Arab-American cultures and families that can lead to feelings of shame and a tendency to hide mental health concerns rather than seek out treatment or services.

Factors potentially impacting the mental health of Arab Americans

There are multiple factors that may explain why Arab Americans tend to face mental health challenges at such elevated rates, including but not limited to:

• Immigration status. Many Arab Americans were born in other countries and then immigrated to or sought asylum in the US. The process of adapting to a new culture can be stressful as a person faces language barriers and adjusts to the new culture in which they now live, with its different foods, pastimes, customs, politics, and religious practices. The stress immigrants often face is called adaptational or acculturative stress, which is thought to negatively impact the mental health of many Arab Americans.
• Lack of policy focus. Some experts have pointed out that US policy doesn't specifically focus on improving Arab-American mental health as it does for some other ethnic and cultural groups. This largely stems from the historical lack of an Arab-American or MENA category in the US Census Bureau’s race and ethnicity categorization options.
• Discrimination, harassment, and bullying. Many Arab Americans face discrimination, rates of which have increased since September 11th, 2001. For example, according to one report, hate-crime incidents directed toward Muslims or those perceived as Muslim—including many Arab Americans—increased by over 500% in the decade following 9/11. Violence, intimidation, vandalism, verbal threats, and bullying are still experienced by many Arab Americans today, which can significantly impact the mental health of an individual and their family.
• Cultural misunderstanding. Many non-Arab individuals don't realize that Arab Americans represent many different types of people. Those who are considered "Arab American" come from 22 different countries, each with different cultures and histories. They may also speak different languages or dialects and practice different religions. False assumptions or stereotypes about a singular Arab culture and history may lead to Arab Americans feeling misunderstood, isolated, and stressed. This may be particularly true for multiracial Arab Americans, who may face additional misunderstandings or forms of discrimination.
• Social exclusion or isolation. Like other immigrants and people of color, some Arab Americans may have trouble connecting with friends and community from similar backgrounds, which can lead to a sense of isolation and loneliness. 

Context for common mental health concerns among Arab Americans

Many Arab Americans immigrate to the US as a result of political conflict, violence, or another type of traumatic event(s) they experienced in their home country. Some Arab-American immigrants are refugees, which means they came to the US to escape dangerous conditions. For these reasons, many Arab Americans are grappling with recent and/or intergenerational trauma. Some Arab Americans may have also experienced trauma in the US in the form of bullying, harassment, or violence. It’s important for mental health practitioners to recognize that many Arab Americans have a history of trauma, as that will affect the treatment they will most benefit from.

In addition, mental health support is viewed with stigma in some Arab-American families, which makes seeking mental health care more difficult for some. Research suggests that Arab Americans tend to seek informal sources of psychological support rather than formal sources, like seeing a therapist or psychiatrist. Informal sources of support may include turning to prayer, a friend or family member, or looking for information online. While these sources can be beneficial, they’re not considered a replacement for professional care for those experiencing a mental illness.

Arab Americans from some cultures or families—particularly more recent immigrants—may experience stigma related to mental health services or even be unfamiliar with them. One reason is that some countries don’t have the same mental health resources as are available in the US, or they may not be as widely used. In such cases, a person may need support in seeking out a mental health care provider, as they may not know where to look or fully understand what to expect from treatment. 

Remote therapy for Arab Americans

Anyone living with depression, anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder, or other mental health conditions can benefit from seeking professional care. Illnesses like these typically don’t resolve without treatment, and they may worsen and cause additional challenges if left untreated. 

For those who lack providers in their area or want to avoid stigma by attending therapy from home, online therapy might be a more approachable or convenient method of seeking mental health care. BetterHelp is a remote therapy platform that can connect individuals with the right licensed therapist for their unique situation.

It appears that researchers haven't yet directly studied remote therapy among Arab Americans. However, Arab Americans may face a higher-than-average risk of depression, and researchers have studied remote therapy as a treatment for depression. One analysis of 17 studies suggests that remote cognitive behavioral therapy may treat depression as effectively as in-person cognitive behavioral therapy. The study’s authors also note that remote therapy should be available for people with depression who prefer it, and that past research suggests that cognitive behavioral therapy may treat depression as effectively as antidepressants can in some cases.

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Takeaway

Arab Americans face an increased risk of depression and potentially other mental health disorders like PTSD as well. Mental health challenges among those in this community may be due to a variety of factors, including immigrant or refugee status, discrimination, harassment, cultural misunderstanding among non-Arab peers, and social isolation. At the same time, Arab Americans may be less likely than other Americans to seek out mental health treatment due to multiple barriers as well as stigma surrounding mental health care. Remote therapy can be a more convenient option available to Arab Americans who are looking for mental health support.