July marks National Minority Mental Health Awareness Month, dedicated to highlighting the unique challenges faced by ethnic and racial minorities in accessing mental health care.
According to the Food and Drug Administration, barriers to care include lack of health insurance and limited access to treatment services.
Lisa Pion-Berlin, president and CEO of Parents Anonymous, emphasized the importance of combating stigma surrounding mental health. She pointed out that cultural values often discourage open discussion about mental health within families, contributing to reluctance in seeking help. Pion-Berlin noted that historical oppression has also played a role, perpetuating the perception that expressing mental health concerns signifies weakness.
Pion-Berlin revealed that a significant majority of callers to the California helpline are people of color. Those in need can reach out via phone at 855-427-2736, text, or access 24/7 live-chat counseling through CAParentYouthHelpline.org or NationalParentYouthHelpline.org. Parents Anonymous additionally provides free weekly support groups in California.
Senator Alex Padilla, D-Calif., has urged federal action to finalize a proposed rule mandating that insurance companies nationwide provide equal coverage for mental health and substance use disorders as they do for physical health.
Pion-Berlin criticized current health plans for their inadequacy, often covering only a limited number of therapy sessions. She highlighted the challenge of finding therapists who accept insurance due to low reimbursement rates.
Despite insurance coverage claims, Pion-Berlin cited data indicating that two-thirds of individuals experiencing mental health issues do not receive treatment.
Federal statistics from 2020 show that fewer than half of African American adults received mental health care, while in 2018, Asian Americans were 60% less likely than non-Hispanic whites to seek mental health treatment.
