Each July, the nation recognizes Minority Mental Health Month, also known as BIPOC Mental Health Month: a dedicated time in which we can honor, support, and spread awareness about the unique experiences of minority populations and their mental health.
Everyone, no matter their background or culture, can struggle with mental health. But among Black, Indigenous, and people of color (BIPOC) communities, there are distinct challenges and stigmas at play. Often, BIPOC individuals who face mental health conditions do not get the support they need due to discrimination and trauma, economic inequities, or a result of ancestral, cultural, and religious beliefs.
BIPOC mental health is more important than ever—not solely during Minority Mental Health Month, but also year-round. Read on to learn more.
What is Minority Mental Health Awareness Month?
National Minority Mental Health Awareness Month, also known as BIPOC Mental Health Month, is a nationwide observance designed to recognize the mental health struggles and stigmas among Black, Indigenous, Hispanic, Asian, and other underrepresented populations.
It commenced in 2008 in honor of Bebe Moore Campbell, a literary trailblazer and mental health advocate who paved the way for safe, inclusive spaces where people of color could receive proper mental health care.
Today, BIPOC Mental Health Month is aimed at spreading awareness and turning it into action: helping people of color find and receive the support they need when struggling with mental health issues.
Why It’s Important to Talk About BIPOC Mental Health
Among the millions of Americans battling a mental health condition today, many are Black, Indigenous, Latinx, Asian, or people of color. In fact, in 2021, the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) reported that mental illness affected more than 21 million non-white American adults, from a variety of minority and underrepresented groups. This included:
- 21 percent of Black people,
- 16 percent of Asian Americans,
- 27 percent of American Indians/Alaska Natives,
- 21 percent of Latinx Americans, and
- 35 percent of multi-racial Americans (2+ races)
What’s more significant is that very few of these individuals received treatment for their conditions. In comparison to the 22 percent of white Americans receiving mental health treatment, SAMHSA reports that BIPOC groups are less likely to get help. Only:
- 13.5 percent of Black people,
- 8 percent of Asian Americans,
- 17 percent of American Indians/Alaska Natives, and
- 13 percent of Latinx Americans
Received the treatment they needed and deserved.
There are many reasons why BIPOC individuals are less likely to seek or receive mental health care. As cited by Mental Health America (MHA), the following factors are common obstacles for BIPOC people needing treatment:
- Social and economic barriers. BIPOC individuals are more likely to be uninsured or underinsured and, more broadly, experience higher poverty rates. As such, accessing affordable mental health care can be a frequent barrier for these individuals.
- Legal barriers. BIPOC individuals are more likely to be criminalized than white people, with Black people making up one-third of the U.S. prison population alone. Yet many of these individuals need mental healthcare. MHA reports that between 50 and 75 percent of youth in the juvenile justice system meet the diagnostic criteria for a mental illness.
- Systemic racism and trust. Inherently, people of color may be more resistant to (or skeptical of) treatment out of a deep-seated mistrust of health systems. They may be afraid of discrimination or neglect, or fear that their crisis will be met with incarceration rather than proper care.
- Lack of inclusive or culturally competent care. With almost 75 percent of mental health professionals being white, it can be difficult for a person of color to find a therapist who has similar lived experiences or with whom they connect strongly.
- Spiritual or cultural beliefs. In many cultures, mental health issues are seen as a sign of weakness or failure. Some cultures believe that self-reliance, prayer, and/or spirituality are all that’s needed to overcome mental illness. BIPOC individuals often fear they will bring shame to their families by seeking mental health treatment.
BIPOC Trauma and Mental Health
Trauma draws a direct line to mental illness, with up to 90 percent of people in mental health treatment experiencing trauma during their lifetimes. Trauma is often linked to major events like death, divorce, domestic abuse, or a car accident. But for people of color, trauma often happens very subtly, every day.
The following experiences are just some examples of the common traumas faced by many BIPOC individuals, which in turn, have the potential to trigger long-term mental health struggles:
- People avoid them and their neighborhood, out of ignorance or fear
- Their family and peers experience violent acts of racism/discrimination
- Inequitable structures prevent them from accessing or maintaining safe housing
- Law enforcement and other authorities racially profile them
- High rates of imprisonment, detention, and deportation among their peers
- Financial institutions won’t lend them money (or do so at high interest rates)
- School curricula ignore or minimize their experiences/contributions to history
These everyday experiences are piled on top of the individualized traumas that people of color often experience—racism that comes in the form of physical harm, cyberthreats, or verbal attacks.
According to Mental Health America, Black adults in the United States are 20 percent more likely to report serious psychological distress than their white counterparts.
What You Can Do to Support Minority Mental Health This Month (and In the Future)
Minority Mental Health Month, or BIPOC Mental Health Month, is centered around spreading awareness and support. This July, and in the months going forward, we encourage you to take time to think about what more you can do to help. This might look like:
- Educating yourself and others about BIPOC mental health, learning how to create inclusive spaces for individuals who might need your support.
- Starting open conversations about mental health and encouraging others to do the same. This might mean talking about your own mental health experiences, or simply having regular check-ins (“how are you feeling?”) with friends and peers.
- Listening without judgment. Talking about mental health struggles is difficult and intimidating, especially for those who have experienced judgment and discrimination before. If someone you know or love is facing a mental health issue, act as a listening ear and a shoulder to lean on. Do not hold any bias—simply be there to listen, empathize, and validate them.
- Finding resources for those in need. As we’ve discussed, finding culturally competent care and support is not always easy for BIPOC individuals. You can help your friend or loved one find a therapist who understands their background and experiences. Contact credible mental health treatment providers or start by exploring resources in your community.
When it comes to mental health awareness, even small acts of support can make a powerful difference. Together, we can break down stigma, build trust, and create more inclusive and compassionate spaces for individuals of all races, ethnicities, cultures, beliefs, and backgrounds.
For more guidance and information about mental health resources, do not hesitate to reach out to Turnbridge. Turnbridge is a recognized mental health treatment center in New Haven, Connecticut, with programs geared towards young adults and teenagers. We are here for you—Call 877-581-1793.