BIPOC MENTAL HEALTH MONTH: REFLECTION AND EVOLUTION
By Erinn Williams, LCPC
Did you know that African Americans are 20% more likely than non-African Americans to experience depression, ADHD, PTSD and suicide attempts? Or that Asian Americans use mental health services 1/3 as often as whites and Latinx Americans 1/2 as often? Wow.
First recognized in June 2008, Bebe Moore National Minority Mental Health Awareness Month was created to bring awareness to the unique struggles that underrepresented groups face in regards to mental illness in the United States. Bebe Moore Campbell was an author, journalist, teacher and mental health advocate who worked relentlessly to shed light on the mental health needs and unique struggles of Black and underrepresented communities. It’s now known as BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, and People of Color) Mental Health Month and celebrated every July.
July gives us the opportunity to use this time as a catalyst to start having intersectional discussions and share resources about the lack of public awareness of BIPOC mental health issues - in addition to improving access to mental health treatment and services for these diverse communities and populations.
The disproportionate prevalence of mental health issues in BIPOC populations are mind-blowing:
17% of African Americans have a mental illness (6.8 million)
15% of Latinx/Hispanic Americans have a mental illness (8.9 million)
13% of Asian Americans have a mental illness (2.2 million)
23% of Native Americans/Alaskan Natives have a mental illness (830,000)
25% of people who identify as being multi-racial have a mental illness
You can view the full BIPOC mental health statistics from Mental Health America HERE.
So, why is this happening and what can we do?
RACISM AND MENTAL HEALTH
Many BIPOC experience a feeling of disconnect to their community due to an assortment of life circumstances including the impacts of racism, marginalization, violence, trauma and other societal factors.
Racial trauma (or race-based traumatic stress) stems from exposure to racist abuse or discrimination. It has the power to affect the way we think, act and feel and can be passed down through generations. Research has shown that by the time a black infant is a year old, they will have higher levels of cortisol (the stress hormone) than white infants, suggesting that they are already adversely reacting to discrimination and bias.
Often experienced daily, but overlooked, this can take a serious toll on mental health, increasing your risk for depression, anxiety, stress, trauma and substance abuse.
Simply put: racism is a mental health issue because racism causes trauma. And trauma is directly connected to mental illness. Racial trauma needs to be heard. It needs to be validated. And it needs to be healed.
BARRIERS TO ACCESS
The impact of trauma on BIPOC and the long-standing effects of racism and bigotry have been built into systems of care, services, and supports that often went and still go unchecked and unmentioned.
This has created a great disparity in access to mental health resources.
According to the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI), white Americans with mental illness are the most likely to receive care, with almost 50% of those in need receiving therapy or counseling. Black and Hispanic communities receive mental healthcare at much lower rates. Of those experiencing mental illness from these two groups, 31% and 33% receive the help they need. Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders with mental illness are the least likely to get help, with only 25% receiving counseling or therapy.
A major hurdle to accessing mental healthcare is insurance. In 2020, about 30 million Americans were uninsured - 50% of those being people of color. This doesn’t take into account the underinsured that might have limited coverage, high deductibles or plans that might not cover mental healthcare at all.
Affordability
Affordability is also a huge barrier to mental healthcare access. Paying out of pocket isn’t a reasonable “fix” for the average person. Therapy sessions can be $100-200/hr and can make or break someone’s ability to seek care.
Proximity to a provider
Proximity can also hinder people from accessing mental health services. When we factor in a long commute to therapy with one’s ability to take time off work or pay for childcare when necessary, it can completely dismantle any prospect of getting to and from a therapists’ office. BIPOC individuals that have a lower socioeconomic status can also face challenges due to limited computer or smartphone availability, making it difficult to take part in Telehealth services.
Even if you have access to a doctor or therapist, you can still encounter discrimination within the health care system. Oftentimes, a lack of cultural understanding or prejudice from medical professionals result in misdiagnosis or inappropriate treatment, which can discourage many from continuing to get the help they need.
People of color and lower income individuals consistently report receiving poorer quality of care. This prejudice can be anything from a medical provider or staff member not believing a BIPOC patient, minimizing their symptoms, refusing certain tests, treatments or medications they thought they needed.
Compared to their white counterparts, Black, Indigenous, and people of color are less likely to receive high-quality care which is culturally responsive and reflective.
It’s important that all aspects of mental health systems reflect the diversity of the communities that they serve.
To promote and be effective in addressing mental health for everyone, we need to highlight, better understand and effectively respond to the wide range of experiences held by people that have diverse values, beliefs and sexual orientations - in addition to various backgrounds such as race, ethnicity, religion and language.
This can make finding a therapist that understands BIPOC patients’ experiences and struggles more difficult.
In Western countries, most mental health professionals are white. Studies show that when a white therapist misinterprets a black client’s experience, it can lead to dangerous misdiagnosis. This is why Black men are much more likely to be incorrectly diagnosed with schizophrenia than their white counterparts.
The Stigma
While we continue to fight to #EndTheStigma, many BIPOC see mental health problems as a sign of weakness or personal failure. Nearly half of American adults still believe seeking mental health treatment is a sign of weakness.
Social stigmas are prevalent among BIPOC, where stories of perseverance and resilience are amplified throughout history. With this mindset, getting help can be perceived as a spiritual or moral weakness. So, instead of seeking help, these individuals bottle up their issues or try to cope alone. This makes it difficult as a person of color, because you’re far more likely to experience negative life events such as poverty, unemployment, incarceration and abuse.
Religious leaders and institutions in BIPOC communities can also play a role in supporting emotional well-being. Unfortunately, some religious leaders run the risk of mistaking mental health problems for failings of faith, often discouraging professional treatment. Because of this, many Native American communities are more likely to seek help from spiritual leaders or healers vs trained medical or psychiatric providers.
NOW WHAT?
We must ensure that all BIPOC individuals and communities receive the support and resources needed to truly thrive. If you are struggling, it’s important to know that you are not alone! Movements continue to push for social change within BIPOC communities, but we still have a long way to go. Whether you have access to professional treatment or not, there are effective self-help actions that can improve how BIPOC protect their mental health, so they can face the future with resilience and optimism.
Try to remember that you are NOT a burden for opening up! If you are experiencing mental health issues, reach out to those closest to you. Our identities are closely connected to the experiences that we share with others of a similar background. If a fear of judgement is getting in your way, try reaching out to a cultural or community center, youth or school counselor or other mental health professional in your area.
By developing a strong sense of your own ethnicity, you can further embrace and take pride in your culture and history. The more you learn, the better you can stand up against prejudice and discrimination - regardless of your background.
If you’re struggling with racial injustice or oppression, it can be tough to stay positive. Allow yourself to feel. Acknowledge even the smallest signs of change and draw from them! In order to change attitudes and policies, it helps to believe that the small changes happening now will eventually become the major changes we want to see in the future.
RESOURCES
This year’s theme for BIPOC Mental Health Month is #BeyondTheNumbers. Here are a few resources to help gain knowledge on historical backgrounds, systems of support and actionable ways to move toward a mentally healthy future: