How Racial Inequality Also Impacts Mental Health of Minorities
Although the mental health does not discriminate based on race, color or social status, black, indigenous and people of color (BIPOC) are having a harder time to receive the right resources and support they need than their white peers.
National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) found that although anyone can experience various mental health issues, African Americans sometimes experience more severe forms of mental health conditions due to unmet needs and other barriers.
With systemic racism being deeply rooted in America and income gap between races, black and people of color don’t often have the right access to mental health resources or quality healthcare insurance and thus they go undiagnosed more frequently than white people suffering from the same issues.
There are undoubtedly racial and ethnic disparities in mental health care.
Empowering Black People Is The Only Real Solution
Even after navigating through issues like finances and proximity for getting a therapist, black and people of color are still facing issues in mental health.
Previous articles have shown that healthcare providers don’t take black patients’ pain as seriously. That’s why if you identify yourself as black or people of color, you may want to have a culturally competent therapist.
A great way of finding the right fit for you is to ask your potential therapist whether they have previous experience dealing with patients of your ethnicity.
The importance of having culturally competent therapists
Culture shapes our upbringing fundamentally. As we construct our individual identities, culture plays a huge role in those identities we embrace. We see cultural differences in upbringings it even in those racially insensitive jokes about Asian parents or black mothers.
Connecting with your therapist is truly important. Having someone who puts in the effort to understand your upbringing and culture can impact your experience with them. You will feel more comfortable opening up to a culturally competent therapist about experiences that have shaped you.
Ending the Stigma around mental health in your community
Mental health in some communities is still thought of as a “white” issue. It is taken less seriously, it is often said to those who suffer from it that “it’s not real”, “they should just get over it” because life is harder when you’re a minority. However, there’s some light at the end of the tunnel. Luckily, there is an ongoing shift in this perception of mental health in different communities.
Jay Z previously opened up about how his experience with therapy helped save his marriage to Beyonce. Kid Cudi famously talked about his mental health on Jada Pinkett Smith’s show Red Table Talk. Kanye West is another celebrity figure which has been a visible mental health advocate.
Thanks to many brave people who share their mental health battles, the stigma around this topic is getting much better and hopefully brighter days are ahead for more recognition towards black people’s mental health.
If you feel lonely, anxious or just need to talk to someone, you can always talk to Ashley, an AI friend trained by therapists to help you feel better. https://bit.ly/AshleyIn
