Awareness of Minority Mental Health Month reveals particular healthcare issues

Indianapolis, Indiana – National Minority Mental Health Awareness Month, which takes place in July, aims to raise awareness of the particular health care issues that racial and ethnic minorities in the US confront.

Local specialists stress the significance of attending to particular requirements and how to remove obstacles to mental health care in certain regions.

The proportion of those suffering from mental illness who obtain treatment is still low. According to a survey from the Office of Minority Health at the US Department of Health and Human Services, only 25% of Asian adults, 31% of Black adults, and roughly 49% of white adults seek treatment for mental health issues. Due to their 50% lower likelihood of receiving mental health care, Latino American individuals have even bigger inequities.

Poverty, which can disproportionately affect racial and ethnic minority groups, is a major obstacle to receiving treatment.

Another issue that has to be addressed, according to Barbara Thompson, executive director of NAMI Indiana, is the stigma associated with obtaining mental health treatment. According to her, certain cultures may view getting help for mental health issues as taboo owing to cultural and religious customs.

Furthermore, the lack of therapists in the entire mental health care system makes matters worse for these populations. The standard of care is impacted by the underrepresentation of minorities in the area.

According to Thompson, research indicates that when minorities don’t receive care from a culturally competent professional, they are more likely to obtain a false diagnosis. This could seriously slow down their recuperation. While it is not required to choose a therapist from one’s own community, it is crucial to find out about their level of cultural competency to provide the best possible therapy.

During this month of awareness, the National Alliance on Mental Illness honors Bebe Moore Campbell for her significant efforts. The author and co-founder of NAMI Urban Los Angeles, Bebe Moore Campbell, was instrumental in eradicating the stigma associated with mental illness and promoting awareness in impoverished neighborhoods.

Sharing Hope for the Black Community and NAMI Compartiendo Esperanza: Mental Wellness in the Hispanic-Latino Community are two of NAMI Indiana’s initiatives that are specifically geared toward minority communities. Through storytelling and facilitated conversation, these programs promote debates about mental health and wellness.

By courageously sharing their own mental health journeys through NAMI In Your Own Voice, people challenge preconceptions and bust common misconceptions about mental health issues.

On Sunday, NAMI Indiana will take an active role in the IBE Black and Minority Health Fair by hosting a public “In Your Own Voice” lecture and distributing helpful materials to visitors.

People can call the national NAMI helpline at 800-950-6264 for extra support.