Minority Mental Health Matters
July is Minority Mental Health Awareness Month. Why you might ask? The statistics are grim for BIPOC. There are several reasons for this and many have been discussed. Some of those are the stigma surrounding mental health, the lack of BIPOC mental health providers that specialize in this area, and lastly the lack of awareness of mental health disorders and their impact on families.
What Statistics Tell Us
13.4% of the United States population-nearly 46 million people, identify as African American. Historical impacts on the African American diaspora population in the United States have posed unique disparities experienced today.
According to a study in 2018, more than 1 in 5 African Americans living in the U.S. experience poverty. African Americans are twice as likely to experience psychological distress due to socioeconomic factors such as this. It also leads to increased feelings of hopelessness which is a symptom of depression.
When it comes to the prevalence of mental health issues, 16% of the African American population have reported experiencing mental illness. However, this number may be lower than we think considering the stigma which can affect coping behaviors and negatively openness to seeking help.
Awareness & Education
Awareness and education are necessary to positively impact these mental health outcomes. There are two things I believe that can be done to help.
1. Education and Awareness. The more mental health is discussed, the more information is generated. African Americans need to know signs and symptoms to look out for that can cause mental distress. African Americans also need to be aware of mental health challenges and successful strategies to promote self-care in their daily lives. Along with education, resources need to be readily available should these concerns arise.
2. Choosing Providers Wisely. This may not always be an option for some people because options may be limited. However, if a BIPOC individual feels that a provider is not listening or dismissive of their concerns, then alternative options are needed. This may mean bringing additional people to the doctor’s visits (i.e., family member or friend) or choosing a doctor that is more attuned to their care and concern.
Therapist Directory
I have had so many clients and colleagues who have expressed dissatisfaction with their medical providers but could not or did not know where to go to find another provider. I have compiled a list, which is not exhaustive and continues to be updated as new recommendations are provided. These recommendations are from women who have previously or continue to use these doctors for their care and have received excellent service.
Black Emotional & Mental Health Collective
Open Path Psychotherapy Collective