Breaking Barriers: Understanding National Minority Mental Health Awareness Month
Posted by Improving Lives Counseling Services, Inc. | Mental Health
July is National Minority Mental Health Awareness Month. Why designate an entire month to minority mental health? Every time physical or mental health is discussed on television, on media sites, in magazines, newspapers, and on mental health websites, research and survey reports are broken down by race – among other categories – and minorities fall toward the bottom. Many of these findings are true, however, many fall into the category of false notions and hidden biases. Minority Mental Health Awareness Month was established to raise awareness about the “unique mental health challenges” faced by racial and ethnic minority populations. Improving Lives Counseling Services’ diverse team of licensed counselors, therapists, and clinicians meet the specific needs of Oklahoma’s minority communities.
DISPARITIES IN MINORITY MENTAL HEALTH CARE
Though the numbers vary, latest statistics show 70% of minorities live in the 10 largest cities, and 86% of whites in metropolitan areas surrounding large cities. Lifestyle and life experiences for these groups differ greatly, accounting in part for the disparities in mental wellbeing; and though the majority of mental health professionals practice in these large east and west coast cities, 67% – 70% of them are white. This makes it challenging for minorities in these cities to get timely mental health care from someone who “looks like them.” Michael Karson, Ph.D., in a 2019 Psychology Today blog says, “…you don’t want to have to explain too many things to your therapist. If you’re making a point about microaggression, you don’t want your therapist staring at you blankly. Still a lot of good comes in therapy from having to explain how your family works, and a lot of obstacles in therapy derive from your therapist thinking he or she already knows.” Racially, culturally competent care remains a priority for many minorities when choosing a mental healthcare provider.
STIGMA
Statics show outpatient mental health service in the past year was highest amongst multi-racial adults and lowest among Native Americans, Alaska Natives, Black Americans, African Americans, Hispanics, and Asians. In many minority communities, the stigma surrounding mental health contributes directly to the disparity in mental health care.
“Unfortunately, there is still a stigma attached to mental illness in many churches. The prevailing culture of silence along with misguided attitudes and erroneous expectations often cause suffering believers to feel shamed, blamed, and unsupported.” Long standing traditions have attributed mental illness to evil spirits, demonic possession, witchery, and divine disfavor. Churches often provide support groups, family counselors, and pastors, yet many are not trained to treat schizophrenia, chronic depression, promiscuity, hallucinations, gender dysphoria, and substance abuse.
Stigma linked to straight-jackets, asylums, and movie and television’s depiction of psychiatric hospitals and psychiatric wards keep minorities suffering from trauma, personal loss, grief, dementia, chronic stress, and bipolar and behavior disorders from getting the health care they need. This, coupled with an “unacceptance” of compulsions as a mental illness, make it difficult to suggest the compulsive gambler, hoarder, or someone performing repetitive actions gets the mental health care they need.
FEAR, FRIGHT, SECRECY
Family and the family unit is fundamental in minority communities. Seniors and elders are respected, listened to, and obeyed. When grandma says, “Just get over it,” “He’ll grow out of it,” “You don’t hear voices,” or “We’ll pray about it,” they listen. When aunts and uncles say, “Keep that child at home,” they obey.
The trauma of discrimination, racism, or systemic injustices can contribute to the development of mental health issues. Mistrust, due to historical mistreatment, or a lack of cultural competence in mental health systems, can make individuals hesitant to seek professional help or disclose their mental health struggles. Discussing mental health problems is often culturally discouraged or unsupported because it could disrupt the harmony within the family, or embarrass the family, within the community. Acknowledging and addressing the specific needs and experiences of minority individuals means confronting the fear, fright, and secrecy surrounding mental illness. Many in the psychiatric community think getting them to remove the word “crazy” and replacing it with “mental illness” is step one. Next would be tackling secrecy, particularly for older adults and seniors.
Mental illness secrecy extends far beyond minority communities. Members of the military, active duty and veterans, fear reporting mental illness and/or symptoms of post-traumatic-stress-disorder. They fear they’ll be called crazy or dangerous, that comrades and family will fear them, and its negative effect on military and civilian careers. The consequences of secrecy can be seen in the number of veterans and homeless on the streets of cities, and unfortunately, in our prisons and jails. Statistics show 1 in 7 prison inmates and 1 in 4 jailed have a mental illness or disorder.
SUMMARY
Stigmas, fear, fright, secrecy, and an array of disparities make National Minority Mental Health Awareness Month important. The observance aims to address the disparities in mental health care experienced by minority communities, limited access to culturally competent mental health services, the stigma surrounding mental health, and systemic barriers to care. The professional, licensed counselors, therapists, and clinicians of Improving Lives Counseling Services recognizes the importance – expanding their footprint into these communities, offering a diverse group of mental health care providers, working with Improving Lives Inc., a non-profit providing financial support for mental health care, and not turning anyone away.
