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Ways to Prioritize Minorities Mental Health Collectively

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Photo by Eye for Ebony on Unsplash

Mental health is an integral component of our overall well-being and is as essential as physical health. According to the CDC, more than 1 in 5 US adults live with a mental illness, and over 1 in 5 youth (ages 13-18) have had a seriously debilitating mental illness either currently or at some point. Many mental health issues are treatable and preventable. However, individuals from racial and ethnic minority groups often face obstacles in accessing adequate mental health care, despite the prevalence and treatability of mental health issues.

This article aims to shed light on the unique challenges faced by minority communities and discuss pathways to accomplish mental health equity. Step Up For Mental Health® believes that if we promote understanding and inclusivity and address the mental illness stigma, collectively, we can promote opportunities for everyone to have mental health.
 

What are the Barriers to Mental Health Care for Minority Groups?

Racial and ethnic minority groups encounter various difficulties in accessing mental health services. Cost and inadequate insurance coverage are common barriers, making it challenging for individuals to seek the care they need. Additionally, the limited availability of providers from diverse racial and ethnic backgrounds poses another obstacle. Factors such as experiences of racial discrimination and trauma and the impact of socioeconomic disparities contribute to the mental health challenges faced by minority communities. The stigma surrounding mental health care and negative perceptions further discourages individuals from seeking help.
 

Superwoman Syndrome

Ebony Magazine and Healing Magazine have made efforts to address the specific challenges Black women face when dealing with depression. The Strong Black Woman phenomenon negatively impacts Black women’s mental health because it does not recognize that although a person might seemingly “function” in society, they can still struggle with a heavy mental load. Many Black women acknowledge a discrepancy between what they feel (e.g., overwhelmed, hopeless) and what they can still accomplish in their day-to-day life (e.g., success in their career, parenting responsibilities). But when provided with culturally inclusive mental health resources and programming, Black people can feel empowered to seek the mental health treatment they need and deserve.
 

Ways to Promote Mental Health Equity Through Collaboration

To achieve mental health equity, individuals, public health organizations, healthcare systems, and communities must work together toward fostering mental health equity. These are some of the ways in which we all can contribute.
 

1. How to Empower Individuals:

  • Increasing awareness and knowledge about mental health, specifically using Culturally Inclusive Resources.
  • Promoting healthy coping mechanisms and stress management.
  • Sharing mental health information, resources, and support networks within communities.
  • Encouraging open conversations about mental health while using inclusive and non-stigmatizing language.
  • Recognizing and addressing implicit biases and microaggressions in day-to-day life.

2. Public Health Organizations Input:

  • Listening and including perspectives from racial and ethnic minority groups in all stages of mental health programming.
  • Considering data on mental health disparities and historical, social, and cultural factors when developing organizational priorities.
  • Collaborating with diverse organizations to bridge gaps in expertise and representation.
  • Monitoring and evaluating mental health programs to ensure progress toward health equity and eliminating racial disparities.

3. Health Educators and Communicators Help by:

  • Creating culturally and linguistically appropriate mental health educational materials.
  • Increasing the reach of mental health information through translations and contacting outlets appealing to diverse groups.
  • Sharing free and offering affordable mental health resources through diverse media.
  • Using plain language and adhering to health equity principles in communication.

4. Healthcare Systems Duty to:

  • Screening patients for mental health conditions and facilitating unconditional access to care.
  • Recruiting mental healthcare providers who reflect the diversity of the populations they serve.
  • Offering cultural awareness training to enhance provider-patient relationships.
  • Ensuring culturally and linguistically appropriate mental healthcare services and educational tools.

5. The Role of Communities:

  • Expanding community-based mental health peer groups [and outreach programs] that include culturally responsive services.
  • Engaging community and faith-based leaders in discussions about mental health to reduce stigma.
  • Discussing policies for their impact on social determinants of health and working to modify/create policies to ensure equitable access to resources.
  • Striving for diverse representation among decision-makers to ensure inclusive policies.
Achieving mental health equity for minority communities requires collective action and a commitment to inclusivity and understanding. By acknowledging the barriers faced by racial and ethnic minority groups in accessing mental health care, we can work towards dismantling systemic disparities and promoting equal opportunities for all individuals to thrive emotionally and psychologically. Collaboration among individuals, public health organizations, healthcare systems, and communities is essential in fostering awareness, providing culturally sensitive care, and eliminating mental health stigma. Through these concerted efforts, we can create a society where we prioritize mental health equity, and everyone has the resources and support necessary to achieve optimal well-being.
 
 
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