We know that access to high-quality mental health services is important for people of every background yet people of color still have to deal with disparities in access to the care they need. Several barriers to mental health care exist for people of color. Many people of color live in neighborhoods where specialized mental health care services are non-existent. They also lack the needed insurance to cover these services. When some people of color seek mental health services, they encounter doctors who dismiss their concerns, are culturally insensitive, and do not understand their patients within this framework. Here is a closer look at mental health disparities among people of color.
There Is Also A Stigma About Mental Health in Communities of Color
Another contributor to mental health disparities is the stigma that exists in communities of color. We have a long history of being resilient despite the harshest circumstances, and it is expected for us to stand strong at all times and not appear weak to the outside world. Many African Americans who suffer from mental health issues feel that their families and friends dismiss them and are distrustful of diagnoses of various mental health disorders in general. Furthermore, the medical establishment has not treated people of color fairly. This is also why many of them distrust the healthcare system.
Our community also has strong religious roots and this is a great thing. On the other hand, we should not easily dismiss fellow people of color with mental health issues as not having strong faith in God or who are “crazy”. It is possible for someone to be a solid Christian and still struggle with anxiety, depression, and other neurological conditions such as ADHD and autism. We should extend more compassion to those with these conditions and give them the support they need.
Affordability Is Also A Factor
Another factor in the mental health disparities that exist among people of color is affordability. Many therapists do not accept insurance and it’s difficult for many people of color to pay for therapy out-of-pocket. This causes another barrier to access to mental health services for them. As a result, their conditions go undiagnosed and untreated for years.
There Is Little Diversity in Mental Healthcare
Some people of color prefer to work with therapists, social workers, and other mental health specialists who look like them and who understand their issues culturally. Only 2% of the members of the American Psychological Association are African American. We need to improve the way we recruit, train, and retain minority mental health specialists so there will be more representation of African Americans, Hispanics, and other minorities in the field of mental health.
Physical Health Problems Affect Mental Health
There is a link between someone’s physical health and mental health. Minorities experience illnesses such as diabetes, heart disease, certain cancers, and high blood pressure at higher rates than their white counterparts. They also struggle to access affordable healthcare to treat these illnesses and the anxiety from it affects their mental health. If your quality of life decreases because of certain diseases, your mental health suffers.
Cultural Competency in Mental Health Care
Let’s discuss cultural competency in mental healthcare. Cultural competency means that mental health specialists can care for people of diverse backgrounds and incorporate their unique histories, beliefs, and needs into their treatment plans and diagnostics. Culturally competent specialists will understand how a person’s culture plays a role in his mental health. When a person of color receives care from a therapist who is biased or lacks cultural competency, the patient feels misunderstood and even disrespected during the process. The patient can also be misdiagnosed with a certain condition.
A culturally competent therapist must also consider the role that systemic racism has and still plays in the lives of people of color and how this affects their mental health. If a patient is struggling with job-related depression and anxiety, it could be because of microaggressions and denial of advancement opportunities because of his race. A black woman may experience burnout because she works two jobs to survive while also caring for her children and aging parents.
Culturally competent therapists must also recognize their own biases regarding race when working with people of color. They must educate themselves on the racial trauma that contributes to mental health issues among people of color.
Effects of Racism on Mental Health
Racism has a strong effect on people of color’s mental health. The effects may include anxiety, cardiovascular disease, anxiety, depression, diabetes, substance abuse, and even suicide. Since systemic racism often causes financial stress, it’s not surprising that people of color will struggle with anxiety about this. Even children and teens of color may experience stress because of the discrimination they experience from teachers and school administrators. When you add bullying to these issues, we now have a huge mental health crisis that requires immediate attention and action.
Resources That People of Color Can Use
Not all hope is lost because there are resources available to people of color can use. The Association of Black Psychologists’ website has a tool that lets you find black psychologists’ in your area. There is also a website called Black Female Therapists where you can locate a black therapist near you. For Hispanics, there is a website called Latinx Therapy where you can learn about mental health issues that affect your demographic and you can find a directory of therapists both in English and Spanish.
Minorities deserve the best mental health care for their needs. Let’s work harder to provide culturally competent services for them so they’ll thrive and overcome their struggles with confidence.
