July is National Minority Mental Health Month, a critical time to confront a stark reality: while mental health challenges affect people of all backgrounds, the path to accessing care is often far more difficult for minority communities.
Whether you’re Black, white or brown, a woman or a man, young or old -- mental illness doesn’t discriminate. But for minorities, getting help can be more difficult.
“In our community, mental health is overlooked. Oftentimes, when we can’t see those things, like a scar or a cut, we are prone to ignore it,” said licensed therapist Cherlette McCullough.
Consider this, in 2023, only about 15% of Black adults received mental health treatment, compared to 27% of their white counterparts. That same year, data revealed that across all mental illnesses, minorities were less likely to receive the support they needed.
Suicide is the third-leading cause of death for Black Americans. McCullough says that within Black communities, mental health is often shrouded in silence.
“There’s this dichotomy that, ‘If I don’t have a mental illness, I am mentally healthy,’ and that’s just not true,” McCullough explained.
New findings show Black adults are more likely than white adults to report persistent symptoms of emotional distress; Hispanics are more likely to report feelings of worthlessness; and Asian Americans are less likely to seek mental health services compared to white Americans.
Now, a growing number of resources are designed to meet the unique mental health needs of minority communities.
Apps like Alkeme Health cater to the Black community with culturally relevant courses.
Ayana Therapy focuses on matching individuals from marginalized communities with therapists who share their backgrounds, and The Safe Place offers a free mental health app focused on the Black community.
If you or someone you know is struggling with their mental health, please reach out for help. You can call or text the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline anytime for confidential support.
You can also text HOME to 741741 to connect with the Crisis Text Line. Remember, you are not alone.