National Minority Mental Health Month
Jul 11, 2022
July is National Minority Mental Health Awareness Month. This month, our posts will be focused on how and why mental health is perceived differently by and for racial and ethnic minority groups. We will also discuss some strategies to combat stigmas around mental health that exist more proactively within minority groups. Today’s post will be focused on mental health disparities among minority groups. We’ll look at some statistics and point out some patterns, which we’ll explore potential explanations to and solutions for next week.
STATISTICS
- In 2019, suicide was the leading cause of death for Asian/Pacific Islanders, ages 15 to 24
- In 2019, suicide was the second leading cause of death for blacks or African Americans and Hispanics, ages 15 to 24; and for American Indian/Alaska Natives, ages 10 to 34;
- The death rate from suicide for black or African American men was four times greater than for African American women, in 2018.
- Black females, grades 9-12, were 60 percent more likely to attempt suicide in 2019, as compared to non-Hispanic white females of the same age.
- In 2018, Asians were 60 percent less likely, and Hispanics 50 percent less likely to have received mental health treatment as compared to non-Hispanic whites.
- Hispanics living below the poverty level, as compared to Hispanics over twice the poverty level, are twice as likely to report serious psychological distress. Although rates of depression are lower in Blacks (24.6%) and Hispanics (19.6%) than in Whites (34.7%), depression in Blacks and Hispanics is likely to be more disabling and persistent.
- In 2018, a study found that the suicide rate of Black children 5 to 12 was nearly twice that of White children of the same age
PATTERNS
The above statistics are just a few of many that clearly demonstrate the mental health disparities that exist within the minority communities. One pattern I observed from the above statistics, as well as many others, is that minorities, especially men, are less likely to seek and/or receive help for their mental heath struggles. Another pattern is that among minorities (and also probably among non-minorities as well), a person’s financial status has an inverse effect on their mental well-being. Why is this the case? There are a number of reasons that provide possible explanations. Thinking about the reasons for these is the first step to finding solutions and creating positive change. What do you think?
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