Minority Mental Health Awareness

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, more than 40% of the U.S. population identifies as a racial or ethnic minority. Yet across the country, these communities continue to face unique cultural challenges and systemic barriers when it comes to mental health, disproportionately affected by health disparities that can inhibit proper care.

July marks Minority Mental Health Awareness Month, and at Community Treatment Integrations OK Inc. (CTI-OK), we’re joining in the conversation to raise awareness of the challenges minorities face, including stigmas and reduced access to care. Keep reading to learn about minority mental health and what can be done to promote equitable access to mental health care.

What are common mental health challenges among minorities?

While mental illness can affect anyone, racial and ethnic minorities are statistically more likely to experience behavioral health disorders including anxiety, depression and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). These elevated risks often stem from ongoing discrimination, cultural-specific stressors and intergenerational trauma that remain deeply embedded within these populations.

Research from Columbia University shows Black adults are 20% more likely to experience serious mental health problems, including major depressive disorder. Here in Oklahoma — home to the highest percentage of Indigenous population in the U.S. — the need for accessible, trauma-informed care is crucial: Indigenous populations face PTSD at twice national rate, while suicide rates among Native youth are more than double that of the nationwide average.

What mental health disparities exist for minorities?

Minority communities often encounter health disparities: major barriers to care linked to social, economic and environmental disadvantages. Many minority communities are underserved, with limited access to quality healthcare or transportation options, especially in rural areas. Health insurance coverage is also a concern, with American Indian/Alaska Native and Hispanic individuals seeing the highest uninsured rates in the U.S. Language barriers are also a cause of concern for many minority populations.

These barriers cause far too many individuals to go undiagnosed or untreated due to stigma, lack of trust in health care providers, and fear of being misunderstood. 

These elevated risks often stem from ongoing discrimination, cultural-specific stressors and intergenerational trauma that remain deeply embedded within these populations.

What is culturally competent care?

Culturally competent care is a foundational piece of the solution to broadening access to care. It means delivering care in a way that respects a patient’s cultural identity by meeting their unique social, cultural and linguistic needs. 

Culturally competent care can look like providing translators and translation services, multilingual resources and materials. It can also mean offering transportation services and telehealth appointments for those with transportation barriers, or offering assistance to uninsured individuals, regardless of ability to pay. By working to reduce as many barriers and misunderstanding as possible, providers can help reduce harm, build trust and improve outcomes. 

How can you get help?

Mental health care is for everyone, regardless of race, background or income. Access and representation matters, and we are doing our part to ensure help is within reach. At CTI-OK, we believe everyone deserves to feel seen, supported and respected. It’s our mission to ensure equitable mental health and substance use access for all by providing diverse, inclusive services, regardless of a person’s ability to pay. 

For more about our individualized services, visit CTI-OK.org or call us at 918-384-0002.