4 Facts to Consider for BIPOC Mental Health Month

BIPOC Mental Health Month, also called Bebe Moore Campbell National Minority Mental Health Awareness Month, was first recognized in July 2008. Bebe Moore Campbell was a writer and literary icon whose books explored the intersection between racism, mental health, and community. She shed light on the mental health struggles of BIPOC and pushed for safe spaces for communities of color to share stories and experiences without shame or judgment. In honor of her work, we highlight some of the unique mental health challenges BIPOC individuals and communities face as well as how health care and health tech can better support them.?

Access to mental health services is severely limited by the rural, isolated location of many Native/Indigenous communities

There are 573 federally recognized tribes in the United States, and while most live in Mid-West or Western states, only one third live on reservations. Still, many live in rural areas and almost a quarter of Native/Indigenous people live in poverty. As a result, some communities have limited access to mental health services like therapy or psychiatry. There may also be historical and personal factors that limit trust between these communities and mental health professionals. Social work, for example, has been steeped in colonial influences that supported government priorities such as assimilation. The National Association of Social Workers has called for a collaborative vision that prioritizes the training and funding of Native/Indigenous social workers to support their communities.?

Native/Indigenous Americans have the highest rates of substance use disorder and suicide of of any group?

Native/Indigenous individuals report psychological distress 2.5x more than the general population. The Federal Health Program for American Indians and Alaska Natives, also known as the Indian Health Services, has called for “sustained collaboration between Indian health programs, Tribes, and policymaking bodies” to combat issues of substance abuse disorder and behavior-related morbidity and mortality. IHS Telebehavioral Health Center of Excellence (TBHCE) attempts to treat these issues through the implementation of culturally sensitive televideo initiatives.?

Just in three Black adults with mental illness receive treatment

Black Americans face many challenges when it comes to mental health treatment. They are less likely to receive guideline-consistent care, less often included in research, and more likely to frequent emergency rooms or primary care rather than mental health specialists. Barriers to mental health care for Black Americans can include socioeconomic factors — Black American adults living below the poverty line are twice as likely to report psychological distress — as well as stigma related to mental health issues within their communities, and provider bias.?

Indeed, racism continues to play a factor in mental (and physical) health conditions for Black Americans and other minority groups. Adults may be less likely to seek out care and to receive an appropriate diagnosis when they do. Black American patients are more likely to receive a misdiagnosis of schizophrenia when describing symptoms linked to mood disorders.?

Some of these issues can be improved by educating providers through culturally competent care models and/or connecting Black American patients to Black American providers. While more research is needed, there is some evidence that Black American women are more likely to utilize mental services when offered as a telehealth option.?

44% of Black LGBTQ youth seriously considered suicide in the past 12 months, including 59% of Black transgender and nonbinary youth

LBGTQ youth experience a higher rate of suicidal ideation than non-LGBTQ youth, and that number escalates for Black LGBTQ youth. These rates of poor mental health stem from intersecting marginalizations that create chronic stress. The Trevor Project reports that 44% of Black LGBTQ youth (in a national sample) seriously considered suicide in the past year. Yet Black transgender and nonbinary youth with high family support reported lower rates of attempted suicide. Although family and community support are major factors in youth wellness, researchers also need to prioritize Black LGBTQ youth to establish a methodology of best practices.?

While innovations in health care and, in particular, remote health, remain important factors in improving equity for BIPOC individuals struggling with mental health, they are not enough. BIPOC communities suffer from a complex and interconnected web of medical racism, stigma, financial limitations, and other barriers to care that can make it difficult to find the right help. Researchers and practitioners should prioritize the development of culturally competent methodology to better understand and support BIPOC communities.?

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