Why Does Mental Health in Minority Groups Have to be Prioritized?
- Alice Sar
- Sep 5, 2020
- 3 min read
Updated: Apr 11, 2021
I mean, it's in the name.
The controversies and stigmas surrounding mental health are detrimental. People of all races, ethnicities, ages, backgrounds, social classes, and more suffer from them daily. Although non-hispanic whites do have higher rates of mental illnesses, minorities often face more dire consequences. From the lack of availability to stereotypes, mental health is ridiculed; even in communities where mental health is normalized. Many minority groups don’t have the resources available to them to receive a credible diagnosis, which deprives them from services and medication to aid them as they battle their own minds. Altogether, only about 32% of minorities actually get any kind of mental health help. This is why mental health in minority groups should be, and have to be, prioritized.
Chances are, you know someone or several people who are living with mental illnesses. In fact, about one in five adults in the United States are diagnosed with a mental illness. That’s about 46.6 million people. However, only about 43% of people in the US who have mental illnesses actually get the professional help that they need (American Psychiatric Association, 2016). Nearly half of the people who do actually get help are non-hispanic whites. A majority of people would also not be able to get the help that they need due to lack of healthcare, the cost of treatments, language barriers, and cultural differences. As a matter of fact, only 31% of Blacks and Hispanics with mental illnesses get any kind of medical assistance, while about 22% of Asians living with mental health disorders get help. So, minorities don’t get as much help as needed. Additionally, minorities often have more severe effects from their mental health illnesses. In a survey, many people of minority groups rated their mental illness much more disabling than people not of minority groups.
Another reason why mental health awareness should be prioritized within minority groups is because of the stigma that surrounds it. BIPOC communities commonly have parents, guardians, and “older” generations who don’t believe in and dismiss mental health, and believe being diagnosed with something such as anxiety or depression would consider someone as “flawed” (rtor.org). They don't understand why their kid hasn’t come out of their room in five days or why they’re wearing hoodies in one hundred degree weather. Even if someone opens up to their parents or friends and tells them that they feel a certain way, many parents will brush it aside; worsening some people’s mental state. According to a survey done by the CDC, 25% of American Indian high school students, 8% of Asian american students, 12% of Black students, and 9% of Hispanic/Latin students attempted suicide within twelve months leading up to the survey. This invalidation of their emotions and trauma from what they thought were close and trusted individuals can possibly enable them to share less and suppress their emotions. Not only do we have to prioritize mental health in minority groups, we also have to educate people about it and the effects it takes on people.
Through Mental Health Awareness for Minorities, we hope to steer the conversation towards the prominence of mental health and aid in normalizing these conversations. Through spreading information and offering resources to others, we are advocating for equality and mental wellness amongst all minorities, including BIPOC, LGTBQ+, and low-income communities who deserve these resources. You can learn more about our mission statement and what we stand for here!
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