Common Mental Health Challenges In Biracial And Multiracial Families

Life in a biracial or multiracial family can come with unique challenges that may affect mental health, and some studies suggest that multiracial individuals may be at a higher risk of mental health challenges due to their lived experiences. Engaging in mutual family support and seeking professional guidance from a culturally competent provider are among several strategies that may help individuals in multiracial families care for their mental health.

Factors that may impact mental health in multiracial families

Mental health challenges in biracial or multiracial families may stem from a variety of internal and external factors, such as the following.

Racism and discrimination

Biracial individuals may experience racial discrimination from multiple groups, which can lead to negative mental health outcomes. For example, discrimination and exclusion can result in social isolation and confusion regarding one’s ethnic identity. Emotional stress from discrimination can also lead to anxiety, depression, or other mental health conditions.

Socioeconomic factors

Socioeconomic status can also influence mental health in multiracial families. Due to systemic factors, some mixed-race households may face barriers to education, employment, and healthcare and may experience financial stress and even trauma as a result. 

Limited financial resources might also lead to fewer opportunities for multiracial individuals to fully explore and embrace their multicultural identities. For example, a family with limited financial means may be unable to travel to visit relatives in different countries or participate in cultural events, hindering their ability to connect with all aspects of their heritage.

Cultural stress

Multiracial families may experience stress when trying to adjust to different cultural norms and practices. Families might find it hard to honor all their cultural traditions, especially if they have conflicting ideas. As a result, cultural stress might lead to anxiety and other mental health concerns.

Pressure to “choose” one cultural identity

Many multiracial individuals feel pressured to identify with one cultural group over another. This pressure can come from peers, family, or society. For instance, a biracial or multiracial teen may be forced to pick one race when filling out official forms or feel pressured to choose a monoracial social group to interact with at school. A sense of exclusion and confusion may then lead to mental health challenges. 

Common mental health challenges among multiracial families

As a result of the factors listed above and other challenges multiracial individuals and families may face, they may experience mental health challenges including but not limited to the following.

The effects of generational trauma

Generational trauma is when individuals inherit or otherwise experience the effects of unresolved trauma from previous generations.

Low self-esteem

Low self-esteem can influence various aspects of life, including relationships, performance at work or school, and overall mental health and well-being. Research findings on this topic are mixed, but some studies suggest that multiracial youth may be at elevated risk of experiencing low self-esteem due to their lived experiences. 

For example, one study looked at self-esteem in multiracial elementary school children in the UK, and its findings indicate that microaggressions and peer-based discrimination at school may affect these children at higher rates than their monoracial peers. However, the study also notes that friendship support seemed to affect these rates, indicating that social ties with supportive individuals may be a protective factor.

Depression and anxiety

Depression and anxiety are common mental health conditions that can affect anyone but may be more likely to impact multiracial individuals. A 2023 report that reviewed research on the topic shares that multiracial adolescents had the highest rate of depressive episodes in the past year compared to monoracial youth. It also suggests that multiracial LGBTQ+ youth in particular may be at increased risk for these and other mental health concerns. 

Depression and anxiety are both considered treatable—usually through therapy, sometimes in combination with medication. However, multiracial individuals may also face systemic barriers to receiving mental health care.

Substance use disorders

One study suggests that substance use may be more common among biracial and multiracial youth who have “elevated psychosocial risk and low levels of protection”—i.e., a lack of parental engagement, high peer substance use, problems at school, and social-environmental risks. Substance use disorders are serious mental health conditions on their own, and they may also be caused by or lead to depression and/or anxiety.

Identity confusion

Identity confusion can be a challenge for many biracial individuals. A young adult in particular might be uncertain about where they belong, potentially feeling isolated or alienated from monoracial peers. This may contribute to or exacerbate mental health conditions like depression and anxiety. Plus, social isolation has been linked to poorer mental health outcomes in general.

Managing mental health challenges in multiracial families

Strategies like those listed below may help multiracial families manage and address the unique mental health challenges they may face.

Openly discuss race and identity as a family

Open discussions about race and identity can be crucial in multiracial families. Speaking openly about these topics can help children understand their backgrounds and become more comfortable with their identities. Parents and older relatives might start by discussing their relationships to their own racial identities and experiences in a candid and nonjudgmental way to encourage younger family members to share openly as well. If grief or trauma prevent an individual from feeling comfortable speaking about these topics, seeking a support group or the care of a culturally competent therapist may be helpful.

Engage in enjoyable shared activities

Shared activities that all family members can enjoy may help strengthen family relationships, which could help improve emotional well-being. Family trips, game nights, and cooking together are a few examples. When these activities relate to a family’s shared cultural or ethnic background, there may be the added benefits of strengthening cultural identity and pride.

Practice healthy habits together

Healthy lifestyle habits may help improve mental health and boost stress resilience among family members of all ages. Engaging in these habits together may also support a sense of family connectedness and bonding. Some examples include getting regular physical exercise, cooking nutrient-dense meals, cooking special cultural meals, practicing mindfulness, and taking time for rest.

Seek role models and community with similar backgrounds

Role models and mentors from similar backgrounds may be able to provide valuable guidance and support. Connecting with individuals who have worked through similar racial and identity challenges may offer practical ways to overcome various challenges. Finding other ways to connect with community members who may share cultural, ethnic, and/or religious backgrounds may also be helpful for family members of all ages.

Having trouble coping with stress?

Get help from a licensed therapist online

Meet with a culturally competent therapist

A culturally competent mental health professional can provide specialized support for biracial or multiracial families. They may be able to provide therapy or counseling based on the specific challenges multiracial groups might experience.

Family therapy sessions may help manage identity confusion, racial stress, communication problems, and other challenges. A culturally competent therapist can help family members understand and appreciate each other's experiences, leading to a more supportive family network. Individual therapy can also help members who need support with personal mental health challenges.

Finding support online

Online therapy may be a more convenient way for individuals in multiracial families who experience mental health challenges to receive support—especially since individuals of color often face systemic barriers to receiving care. Online therapy may reduce some of these barriers. For example, it allows individuals to meet with a provider from the comfort of home without having to commute, which can benefit those in areas with insufficient in-person providers. In addition, virtual care is often more cost-effective than in-office care, which can benefit those who are economically affected by systemic injustice.

To get started with online therapy through a platform like BetterHelp, you can fill out a brief questionnaire about your needs and preferences in a provider. You’ll then get automatically matched with a licensed therapist who you can meet with via phone, video call, and/or in-app messaging. Research suggests that online therapy can be just as effective as in-person therapy for various mental health conditions.