Black, indigenous, and people of color (BIPOC) are impacted both in terms of increased risk for mental health problems and in their access to mental health care. Unfortunately, systemic barriers and inequities prevent those in BIPOC communities from receiving the behavioral health treatment they need. When BIPOC communities are disproportionately affected during moments of national crisis, this problem is exacerbated.
BIPOC Mental Health Month
Previously known as Minority Mental Health Awareness Month, BIPOC Mental Health Month is observed every July since its inception in 2005. The purpose is to bring attention to minority mental health disparities by sharing information and personal stories to engage society in discourse. The hope is that generating greater awareness of BIPOC mental health disparities ultimately will lead to improved access to treatment and services for minorities. This, in turn, will result in greater recovery and better outcomes.
How are BIPOC communities affected when it comes to their mental health, access to treatment, and outcomes?
BIPOC mental health statistics indicate a need for mental healthcare reform to adequately address the inequities experienced by people of color and their communities. According to the non-profit organization, Mental Health America, studies find that BIPOC are both more susceptible to mental health problems and less likely to utilize available services. Examples of these problems include:
BIPOC youth are more likely to end up in the criminal justice system when they have a mental illness.
Indigenous Americans report the highest rates of PTSD, alcohol abuse, and mental illnesses overall.
Those who identify as two or more races report more mental illnesses.
Cultural differences and misunderstandings with health care providers seem to contribute to diagnostic problems for BIPOC patients.
The National Alliance on Mental Illness found that black adults are more likely to report persistent symptoms of emotional distress than white adults. Yet only one in three black Americans who needs support gets it.
Research studies often do not include people of color or even a breakdown of findings based on race. As a result, findings often lack vital information necessary to understand the impact on these groups.
An important factor contributing to greater mental illness among people of color is the trauma they experience from encounters with prejudice and discrimination. These can range from daily “microaggressions” to extreme violence. As a community, their mental health burden is greater as a result of social stressors they face, whether directly or indirectly related to race. Research suggests that stress related to daily discrimination negatively impacts minority mental health, and this leads to worse physical health, as well.
BIPOC are also more likely to be treated differently when it comes to mental health problems. Such disparities range from misdiagnosis to disproportionate and even inappropriate consequences for behaviors related to mental health conditions, as described by psychotherapist Tahmi Perzichilli, in “The historical roots of racial disparities in the mental health system.”
Additionally, the stigma around mental health and illness is often a barrier to treatment for BIPOC. Research indicates that some BIPOC are more reluctant to acknowledge mental health issues and less willing to seek out related services. Discomfort discussing racism with white therapists can be a deterrent to help-seeking for
some.i
When they do seek treatment, they are more likely to perceive discrimination, which can lead them to have a negative experience and to end treatment early.
How can we improve access to care and outcomes?
BIPOC Mental Health Month opens the door to discussions to bring awareness to the problems people of color face. These conversations are a vital step to helping mental health practitioners, government leaders, employers, human resource managers, and society as a whole to understand the issues of inequity and move toward creating solutions for increased access to mental health care. Systemic changes are central to this effort and should include:
increasing the availability of BIPOC mental health professionals
enhancing the cultural competency of the mental health workforce
increasing use of mental health treatment in place of punitive approaches for BIPOC in the legal system (e.g., “problem-solving courts”)
including race and discrimination in mental health research
Bringing BIPOC mental health awareness to the forefront can reduce the stigma these individuals face and help those in crisis know that they're not alone and support them in seeking help. Recognizing BIPOC Mental Health Month is one way to focus society's attention on improving minority mental health access and outcomes for underserved communities.
References:
iChapman, L. K., DeLapp, R., & Williams, M. T. (2018). Impact of race, ethnicity, and culture on the expression and assessment of psychopathology. In D. C. Beidel & B. C. Frueh (Eds.), Adult psychopathology and diagnosis, 8th Edition (pp. 131-156). Hoboken, NJ: John Wiley.
https://www.mhanational.org/racism-and-mental-health
https://www.nami.org/Your-Journey/Identity-and-Cultural-Dimensions/Black-African-American
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4826316/
https://ct.counseling.org/2020/05/the-historical-roots-of-racial-disparities-in-the-mental-health-system/
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4279858/
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5233585/
