BIPOC Mental Health Awareness Month
July is BIPOC Mental Health Month, an opportunity to recognize the challenges and barriers for minority communities in getting adequate mental health services. Formerly Minority Mental Health Month, BIPOC more appropriately recognizes the unique mental health challenges of Black, Indigenous People, and People of Color.
According to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), 18.9% of adults (46.6 million people) had a mental illness in 2017. Further, the rate of mental illness increases for minority populations—28.6% for two or more races; 19.4% for Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islanders. In addition, 5.9 million African-American adults had a mental and/or substance use disorder in 2018.
There are many obstacles facing individuals of minority populations when trying to receive adequate mental health care, including:
- Cost and/or insurance
- Thinking help is not needed
- Concerns over whether treatment will work
- Prejudice/discrimination
- Transportation to appointments
- Taking time off from work
“Although there have been advances in health equity, disparities in mental health care still continue,” said Steven Torres, MS, Bilingual Mental Health Therapist. “At Acenda, we support everyone in the community who needs our help, regardless of their race. We understand the specific challenges facing BIPOC communities and encourage them to ask for help.”
If you or a loved one is in need of additional support and guidance our clinicians are here to help. Acenda offers in-person and telehealth counseling and therapy for all ages as well as bilingual counseling and therapy services. Call our main number at 844-4-ACENDA (844-422-3632) for more information.
Sources:
American Psychological Association
National Alliance on Mental Illness
Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration