Exploring Minority Mental Health
Everyone can have unique experiences when it comes to mental health. Generally speaking, no two people will have the same journey, and mental health conditions do not discriminate based on one’s identity.
That said, individuals belonging to minority groups—such as racial and ethnic minorities or LGBTQIA+ individuals—may face unique challenges in terms of mental health and proximity to quality care.
In this article, we’ll explore some of the unique factors that can contribute to mental health conditions, related health care disparities in minority populations and a few additional ways to support mental health.
Mental health in minority populations
Mental health challenges can be commonly encountered in the United States and all around the world. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates that around 20% of Americans experience symptoms of a mental health condition in a given year. Minority groups can also face additional challenges that can impact mental health and mental health treatment, extending beyond this statistic.
Statistics on American minority mental health
- Only one in three Black adults who need mental health care might receive it
- About 35% of Hispanic/Latinx adults living with the effects of a mental health condition might receive treatment each year, compared to the U.S. average of about 46%
- Only 25% of Asian adults who have a mental illness might receive help
- Lesbian, gay and bisexual youth can be four times more likely to attempt suicide than straight youth
If you are experiencing suicidal thoughts or urges, contact the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 988. Support is available 24/7.
Contributors to mental illness and healthcare disparities
Minorities can experience unique challenges that may affect mental health and treatment. Below are just a few examples of inequalities and challenges that may make someone in a minority group more prone to mental health-related experiences and/or less likely to receive treatment for mental health conditions:
Lack of resources
Some minorities might not have what they need to get mental health care. For example: some may not have health insurance or may not be able to afford treatment. Some may also have limited free time due to juggling multiple jobs and taking care of children without consistent proximity to childcare. For some, transportation may also be an issue.
Quality of care for minorities
Having someone you can rely on and trust can be vital when receiving care for mental health. However, minorities might struggle to find a provider that looks, speaks or identifies as they do.
Although individuals from minority groups can experience mental health needs like anyone else would, they may not have the same proximity to treatment, support and quality care as other groups do. When these individuals cannot get help for their mental health challenges, their condition may get worse over time.
When minorities receive treatment, it might be poorer quality than others would find. They may face bias and discrimination in treatment settings that can impact the quality of care, and they may be misdiagnosed or underdiagnosed. For some, there may also be language barriers with a provider. Race, socioeconomic status, language, age, gender, sexual orientation and more can all affect the quality of care one gets.
Stigma associated with mental illness
Stigma surrounding mental illness can be higher among certain minority groups. If people feel they’re not “allowed” to have a mental illness, or if they see mental illness as a weakness, for example, they might be less likely to reach out for support.
Discrimination
Racism, harassment and bias might be encountered when a minority seeks mental health treatment. Providers may not have experience with a diverse set of clients, and some may even downplay symptoms or hold beliefs that harm the individual even further.
How to support minority mental health
Addressing the inequalities in the health care system can be a complex endeavor involving structural, societal and individual changes that generally go beyond the scope of this article.
Many believe that key upcoming changes to consider can include increasing representation among providers, providing additional resources to reduce barriers to care, expanding health care coverage, and more.
Here, we’ll focus on a few suggestions for how an individual who identifies as part of a minority group can support their own mental health.
Ways to support your own mental well-being
If you’re looking for ways you can support your mental health on your own, here are a few examples of things you can try:
Journaling
Writing down your thoughts and emotions can help you sort through your feelings and gain perspective. You can write for as little or as long as you’d like about any topic or concern. Journaling can help with depression, anxiety disorder symptoms, stress, and many other mental health conditions.
Support groups
Support groups can be made up of people who have a similar concern or have had a common experience. They can decide what worked best for them during difficult times, validate your experiences and encourage you to keep going. Your city directory can be a helpful place to start if you’re looking for a support group near you.
Exercise
Exercise can be a great way for many to release some stress and tension in your body and mind. There is generally not a one-size-fits-all exercise routine, so you can experiment to find something that works best for you. You can do something lighter like yoga or more intense like running sprints. Getting your body moving each day can promote better mental health and keep you in shape physically as well.
Taking care of yourself is a task that generally extends to both your mental and physical health. You may consider trying out some different techniques to determine what works best for your needs.
Support through online therapy
Another option to consider for supporting your mental health is connecting with a professional through online therapy. Given the many barriers that can possibly exist to receiving in-person care discussed above (such as transportation, availability and proximity to a quality provider), online therapy may feel more convenient for some people.
With online therapy, you can match and speak with a therapist from wherever you have an internet connection, which can eliminate the need to commute to an office and make it easier to slot into busy schedules. You may also feel more empowered to speak candidly about your experience due to the proximal distance between you and the provider.
Is online therapy effective?
Every individual might face mental health concerns that are unique to them, and individuals from minority groups can experience a wide range of mental health conditions that may not receive equitable care compared to other groups of people.
Research has shown that online therapy can be just as effective as in-person therapy for a range of conditions—generally addressing symptoms associated with depression, anxiety disorder, bipolar disorder and more with comparable benefits to in-person treatment.
Takeaway
Why is minority mental health important?
Minority mental health, and minority mental health awareness, is important because research suggests that minority groups are more likely to experience mental health disorders like anxiety, depression, and post traumatic stress disorder, among other mental health conditions.
How many minorities live with mental illness?
People from any racial or cultural background can experience mental illness and poor mental health outcomes. However, certain groups may be more vulnerable to poor mental health outcomes than other groups; for example, LGBTQIA+ youth may be up to four times more likely to attempt suicide compared to straight youth.
What challenges do minorities face?
Minorities can face the unique challenges that come from discrimination and prejudice. These challenges can lead to mental health problems, feelings of isolation or shame, and overall have a negative impact on an individual’s life and wellbeing.
How can we focus on minority mental health?
In general, society can better support minority groups by prioritizing minority health and wellbeing, and working towards ending discrimination and other harmful behaviors. Mental health providers can help by completing cultural sensitivity training and being sure to continually educate themselves on treating minority populations. Additionally, ensuring that minorities have equal opportunities to care is essential in helping improve mental health.
How does mental health affect people in society?
Mental health conditions can affect people in different ways, but in general, experiencing poor mental health can affect an individual’s ability to handle stress and other day-to-day situations; it can lead to a negative outlook and difficulties maintaining employment and relationships; and it may also affect social wellbeing. Additionally, poor mental health can lead to physical health problems when left untreated, which emphasizes the dire need for equitable opportunities for mental health services.
How do multicultural factors affect mental illness?
Cultural stigma can have a significant effect on mental illness and a person’s overall mental health. For example, a person who lives with depression may find their symptoms to worsen in response to racial or cultural discrimination. Social determinants of health, which include the environments and locations where people spend their time, can impact minority communities in a significant way, as feeling a sense of belonging can be an integral part of a healthy mental state.
What are the effects of mental health discrimination on minorities?
When we fail to bring awareness to mental health discrimination, a cycle of disproportionate mental health conditions may continue to affect certain groups. By making an effort to enhance public awareness of mental health disorders and how they affect different minorities, we can lessen mental health discrimination and improve availability of mental health care services.
Why is it important to learn about American minority groups?
Learning about minority groups can not only foster greater connection and empathy with others, but it can also enhance public awareness of national minority mental health information. Mental health awareness month provides the perfect opportunity to learn more about the way mental health conditions can affect different minority groups.
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