People of color are disproportionately affected by virtually all social and economic problems. For this reason, it is no surprise that American minorities carry a tremendous psychological and emotional load. To show our support and solidarity, the team at Maryvale respectfully acknowledges Minority Mental Health Month this month, a time to focus on and bring awareness to the mental health experiences within marginalized communities and specifically among people of color. It is no secret that these groups constantly face more considerable hardships than those with racial or class privilege – in the United States, we saw a significantly higher illness and death toll in Black and Brown communities throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. When it comes to mental health, these groups are all too often without the care they need.
Marginalized people have faced generations of oppression and difficulty, leading to a unique set of social challenges, trauma, and deep stress. Not only do these groups need excellent mental health providers, but they also deserve culturally aware, sensitive practitioners who can meet them where they are, validate their experience, and create a meaningful path to healing. While often echoed in others, the needs that affect one community are nuanced and specialized to a specific group of people. For instance, Black and African American communities face significantly higher homicide risks than other groups and are more likely to face socioeconomic hardship than any other group. Both issues have deep, historical roots and are deeply damaging to a person or a child’s psychology. Hispanic and Latinx people see higher suicide attempt rates among female adolescents than any other ethnic group. Asian Americans face a sharp increase in hate crimes, with up to 100 per day since winter 2021. PTSD and suicide risk are significant mental health factors for Asian Americans – notably for teenagers and young adults. Indigenous Americans are more likely than other groups to be without health insurance, which is a significant barrier to seeking mental health support. While bolstering self-worth and addressing trauma is essential for any person in these groups, cultural awareness in mental health requires a deeper sense of where an individual is coming from and how their community deals with adversity.
Each community’s unique challenges are underscored by a toxic problem that is becoming increasingly clear throughout American culture: systemic racism. This past Spring, the CDC declared for the first time that racism is a major threat to public health. This statement reflects that after the racial reckoning of 2020 and the unquestionable, outsize damage the pandemic caused to communities of color, the systems that reinforce racial inequality are similarly blocking equal access to healthcare. In other recent news, prominent tennis star Naomi Osaka dropped out of the French Open for reasons that are fundamentally related to race and mental health. The mainstream is becoming fluent in ideas of equity, holistic care, and the linkage between social values and psychology. This makes 2021’s Minority Mental Health Month a particularly significant cause for awareness and deep attention.
Bebe Moore Campbell, the founder of the National Alliance on Mental Illness’ Los Angeles chapter, was crucial to the observance of this month, which began two years after her death in 2006. Campbell believed that people of color feel mental health-related stigma more keenly than anyone else. “In a race-conscious society, they do not want to be perceived as having yet another deficit,” said Campbell.
Whether a person is the direct or indirect victim of a racist act, the trauma caused by racism cannot be ignored. People – especially children – deserve to feel cared for and emotionally protected in a context that makes sense to them. That’s why at Maryvale, we approach mental health services with a young person’s community, family, and cultural background in mind. We prioritize mental health care with cultural relevance, empathy, and sensitive attention for the marginalized, minority children we care for. Learn more about our community-centric approach to mental health.
