July is BIPOC Mental Health Month, also known as Bebe Moore Campbell Minority Mental Health Awareness Month. This important awareness month has been recognized since 2008 when Congress officially honored Bebe Moore Campbell for her tireless efforts to bring awareness to the mental health needs of the Black community and other BIPOC communities that are consistently underserved and underrecognized by mental healthcare providers. Bebe Moore Campbell founded NAMI-Inglewood, which was formed as a safe space in a predominantly Black neighborhood for Black individuals to voice their mental health concerns. Today, her legacy continues during BIPOC Mental Health Month as medical professionals and organizations around the country work to help BIPOC individuals thrive with access to the care they need.
Culture, Community, and Connection
In 2023, the theme of BIPOC Mental Health Month is Culture, Community, and Connection. Because Black, Indigenous, and people of color (BIPOC) individuals are so often faced with disproportionate levels of stress through historical trauma and displacement, they tend to be challenged in their ability to thrive in their environment. Culture, Community, and Connection represent pillars to help individuals find strength and understanding that helps them overcome the unique challenges they face. BIPOC Mental Health Month is a time to uplift and advocate for underrepresented communities in the face of oppression and systemic racism.
Mental Health Trends in BIPOC Communities
- Black/African American Communities: Black and African American (B/AA) people represent about 13.4% of the U.S. population, and according to SAMHSA’s 2018 National Survey on Drug Use and Health, about 16% of these individuals have reported having a mental illness in the past year. The effects of decades of dehumanization and oppression of Black individuals is felt heavily within B/AA communities through a myriad of disparities, including reduced financial security and limited access to/distrust of healthcare services. Black individuals are also more likely to be exposed to trauma and violence than their white counterparts according to Mental Health America.
- Latinx/Hispanic Communities: 18.3% of the U.S. population is Hispanic or Latino, and SAMHSA found that 16% of this population has reported having a mental illness in the past year in their 2018 National Survey on Drug Use and Health. According to the National Institutes of Mental Health, the prevalence of mental health issues among this group is increasing with a rise of 4 percent to 6.4 percent in people ages 18-25, and 2.2 percent to 3.9 percent in the 26-49 age range between 2008 and 2018. Culturally, topics surrounding mental illness are stigmatized within Hispanic communities, leaving little space to openly discuss personal traumas, immigration and acculturation, and generational conflicts. In addition, many Hispanic individuals face language barriers when they do seek mental health care.
- Asian American/Pacific Islander Communities: This group encompasses a wide range of ethnicities, identities, and nationalities and accounts for about 6.1% of the U.S. population. Of those individuals, about 15% have reported having a mental illness in the past year according to SAMSHA’s 2018 National Survey on Drug Use and Health. Due to cultural stigmas, Asian Americans are the least likely to seek help for mental health issues, despite the complex array of race-based issues that impact their mental wellness, including perpetual foreigner stereotypes, trauma (particularly among first-generation immigrants), strict family expectations, and religious intolerance.
- Native and Indigenous Communities: According to the U.S. Census Bureau, 1.3% of the U.S. population is Native American or Alaskan Native, and Mental Health America reports that 19% of this group has reported having a mental illness in the past year. Additionally, the CDC reports that Native and Indigenous people in the U.S. report experiencing psychological distress 2.5 times more than the general population. According to a study by the American Psychiatric Association, this population begins using alcohol and other drugs at younger ages and higher rates than all other ethnic groups. Compared to the general population, Native and Indigenous people experience much higher rates of poverty and are twice as likely to face unemployment.
- Multiracial Individuals: According to the American Psychiatric Association, about 25% of people who identify as being two or more races experience mental illness, making this group the most likely to report experiencing mental health issues in the past year.
Mental Health Challenges for Individuals of Color
BIPOC communities represent numerous ethnic groups with unique backgrounds, beliefs, and worldviews. However, there are many common challenges faced among these groups when it comes to mental health.
- Stigmas – In many BIPOC communities, mental health is not a topic that is openly discussed, and the seriousness of mental illness is often understated. This stigmatization can make it harder to seek support from family and friends, while making individuals less likely to seek out professional care.
- Racism – Racism is felt by BIPOC communities on many different levels. Racism has been a part of U.S. history since before the nation was founded, weaving systemic racism into the fabric of the country. Additionally, racism is frequently experienced on a personal level through discrimination and harassment, which can lead to feelings of dehumanization. Even witnessing or hearing about racism and racially motivated violence can negatively impact an individual’s mental health.
- Language Barriers and Cultural Differences – Language barriers create a significant hurdle when it comes to seeking mental health care. Among Native and Indigenous populations, there are 573 federally recognized tribes who speak more than 200 different languages, many of which do not have direct translations for terms like “depressed” and “anxious.” In addition to language barriers, BIPOC individuals may face a lack of cultural knowledge among mental health providers, and this can limit the effectiveness of the care they receive.
- Lack of Access to Care – Ongoing racial bias and discrimination have led to higher rates of poverty and unemployment among BIPOC communities, which means that these groups are less likely to have health insurance, nearby medical providers, reliable transportation to reach providers, and time to seek mental health care.
At Integrated Behavioral Health, it is our mission to provide reliable, compassionate mental health services for everyone in our community, regardless of race, background, or financial status. With 8 Alabama mental health clinics, we are easily accessible to anyone seeking treatment. Begin the process of completing a new patient appointment request on our website to take the first step toward finding the road back to you.