The Fidelis Care Blog

Mental health is essential for everyone, regardless of background or ethnicity. Minority communities, however, face unique challenges in regard to mental health. That's why National Minority Mental Health Awareness Month, observed in July, serves as an important reminder to prioritize the well-being of all individuals, particularly those who belong to marginalized and underserved communities.

National Minority Mental Health Awareness Month aims to shed light on the disparities in mental health access, treatment, and outcomes that minorities often experience compared to their non-minority counterparts. Recent data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) show:

• Suicide was the second leading cause of death for Black or African Americans, ages 15 to 24, in 2019.
• In 2019, suicide was the second leading cause of death for American Indian/Alaska Natives ages 10 to 34, and the leading cause of death for Native Hawaiians/Pacific Islanders ages 15-24.
• One in six gay men has made one suicide attempt in their lifetime.
• LGBTQIA+ individuals are more than twice as likely as heterosexual men and women to have a mental health disorder in their lifetime.

One crucial aspect to consider during this month is the stigma surrounding mental health within minority communities. Due to factors such as cultural upbringing, historical trauma, and systemic oppression, people from minority backgrounds may be more reluctant to seek help or openly discuss their mental health concerns. This stigma can lead to delayed or inadequate treatment, which can have detrimental effects on individuals' overall well-being. For example, data show:

• In 2018, Asian Americans were 60 percent less likely and Hispanic Americans 50 percent less likely to have received mental health treatment as compared to non-Hispanic whites.
• Almost one-third of Muslim Americans perceived discrimination in healthcare settings.

During Minority Mental Health Month, it is vital to engage in discussions about the various strategies to promote mental health within minority communities. To be effective, mental health care must address every aspect of an individual and what he or she needs to recover and flourish. Education plays a key role in increasing awareness, reducing stigma, and empowering individuals to seek help. Overall, better care means recognizing when someone is facing a mental health challenge, then addressing it from all perspectives: as an individual, family member or friend, community, government, institution, and society. 

National Minority Mental Health Awareness Month challenges us to rededicate ourselves to this model for all minority groups, as a further commitment toward achieving healthcare parity in our country and around the world.

References:
https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/mind-your-health/202107/protecting-minority-mental-health-in-the-us

https://minorityhealth.hhs.gov/omh/browse.aspx?lvl=4&lvlid=24