We should all strive for a world that has accessible and equitable healthcare for every citizen, including mental healthcare. However, part of trying to reach that goal is recognizing how far off from it we currently are. In the United States, there are sizable disparities between different people groups in terms of access to and quality of mental healthcare. Unfortunately, the communities most harmed by these disparities are often Black and African American communities.
In today’s blog, let’s talk about the landscape of mental healthcare for Black and African American communities, what’s causing the disparities, and what should be done to repair them.
Mental Health for Black and African American People
13.4% of the United States population identifies as Black or African American (B/AA).1 To put that in context, it’s over 7 million people. B/AA communities experience mental illness at roughly the same rate as other people groups in the United States, but they are often far less likely to seek out mental healthcare. In fact, statistics show that 25% of Black Americans seek mental healthcare compared to 40% of white Americans.2
If B/AA communities are experiencing roughly the same rate of mental illness as white communities, then we know this is not an issue that rises from a lack of need. Rather, it is a difference in stigma, in socioeconomic status, and care that often keeps B/AA peoples from receiving the mental health support they need. Here are some of the reasons Black Americans might be less likely to reach out for mental healthcare:
Stigma
One of the first issues when it comes to Black Americans seeking mental healthcare is stigma. There is a stigma against mental illness and receiving mental health treatment across cultures. However, many have observed that the stigma goes deeper within B/AA communities.
In an article from McLean Hospital interviewing Dr. Christine M. Crawford, MD, MPH, they discussed “historic misconceptions” of Black Americans that dated back to slavery.2 Because during the time of slavery, Black people were not considered “sophisticated” enough to struggle from things like anxiety and depression, Black mental health struggles were often written off as simply being “tired.”
And while it may not have the same language, that misconception and stigma still exists today in the ways that the mental health struggles of Black individuals are often downplayed. One famous example of this is Martin Luther King, Jr. who was reported to have severe depression and had attempted suicide twice before the age of thirteen, but he refused to seek out psychiatric treatment, even when urged by staff.3 Cultural stigma played a large role in holding him back from mental healthcare.
Socioeconomic Concerns
In the most recent census, B/AA individuals had the highest poverty rates within the United States.4 As much as 19.5% of Black people reported living in poverty. This is an issue that has been systemically built into our country, in the jobs that Black individuals are likely to be hired for and in the communities in which they can afford to live. It also impacts the quality of, and access to, mental healthcare they receive.
All medical care can be costly in this country, including mental healthcare. Because of this, those who don’t have insurance or who live below the poverty level may have limited options when it comes to accessing mental healthcare. Location also plays a role. If patients can’t access the mental health provider’s office or reach them during their office hours, they may not be able to receive care. This is why it’s so important for mental health professionals to embrace telehealth options, affordable payment options, and other ways to make healthcare more accessible.
Lack of Culturally Competent Care
Black patients may also be misdiagnosed if a culturally incompetent mental health professional does not take their racial, cultural, and socioeconomic background into account when assessing their mental health. Mental healthcare in this country has too often fallen into the trap of defaulting to white patients; and those within the B/AA community may not feel comfortable with someone who doesn’t understand how the context of their race impacts their mental health. Cultural competence training is a must for any mental health provider.
Lack of Representation
It’s clear that more culturally competent care is needed in order to make mental health more accessible to the B/AA community. One of the best ways to improve this is by hiring more Black mental health clinicians. These clinicians know firsthand the unique cultural issues their Black patients might be facing and are better equipped to help them.
However, due to systemic barriers when it comes to education and financial status, there is a vast shortage of Black mental healthcare professionals. According to the Association of Black Psychologists, Inc., Black mental healthcare professionals make up only5:
- 4% of psychologists
- 2% of psychiatrists
- 22% of social workers
- 7% of marriage and family counselors
- 11% of professional counselors
Thus in order to improve mental healthcare for the B/AA community we need to remove the systemic barriers preventing Black people with a passion for mental health from pursuing their goals.
The mental healthcare field has a long way to go when it comes to making healthcare more accessible for all. At Rivia Mind, we do our best to provide skilled, compassionate, and culturally competent care as well as affordable payment plans for those who need it. Want to begin your journey towards mental wellness? Contact us today to learn more or to schedule a free 15-minute consultation.
Resources:
- Black and African American Communities and Mental Health – Mental Health America
- Understanding Mental Health in Black Communities – McLean Hospital
- What Martin Luther King, Jr. Knew, But Never Said – Columbia University Global Mental Health Programs
- Income and Poverty in the United States: 2020 – The United States Census Bureau
- The Black Mental Health Survey Report – The Association Of Black Psychologists, Inc.
