In honor of Minority Mental Health Awareness month, we’re raising awareness about the unique mental health challenges faced by minority groups. 

In an effort to improve mental health care for minority communities, our counselors emphasize providing care that respects, understands, and holds space for the unique challenges faced by racial and ethnic minority groups. 

Shavon Meyers, Licensed Mental Health Counselor demonstrates the importance of truly understanding clients’ circumstances and lived experiences. Her therapeutic approach focuses on creating a safe space for self-expression while meeting the specific needs of each client. 

We sat down with Shavon to learn more about how culturally-sensitive care can promote healing, and why it’s critical for minority populations to seek mental health support.

We also shine light on mental health disparities among minority communities in an effort to  raise awareness, challenge systemic inequities, and advocate for more accessible and culturally-responsive care.

Mental Health Disparities Among Minority Groups:

Despite growing awareness around mental health, significant disparities still exist in access to care, stigma surrounding mental health, language differences, and socioeconomic inequality. In addition, experiences of racism, microaggressions, and historical trauma intensify emotional distress and make it harder for many individuals to seek help. 

1. Racism and Discrimination 

Racism causes trauma, resulting in serious mental health conditions that need to be addressed with proper treatment. 

Obvious forms of trauma such as homelessness, incarceration, and exposure to violence as a result of systematic racism are not the only risk factors for developing serious mental health conditions. 

Perpetual experiences of racism such as acts of discrimination or racial profiling can also result in racial trauma, leading to physical conditions like high-blood pressure and heart disease, and mental health conditions like depression, anxiety, and substance-use disorder (SUD).

2. Stigma Against Mental Health

Research from Mental Health America shows that factors may contribute to stigma (negative or discriminatory attitudes) about mental health within the following groups: 

• Black/African American communities may view the pursuit of mental health care as an indication of spiritual or ethical frailty. Some may think that if their ancestors survived slavery and previous generations survived segregation, then they should be able to combat their mental health struggles on their own. 
• Communities of Indigenous descent may fear being seen as weak if they are experiencing mental health struggles. Due to close familial and community bonds, they may fear that seeking outside support would bring shame to their families and communities. 
• Communities of Latino / Hispanic descent may fear discussing mental health concerns with others due to their private nature. Due to their faith, some individuals might think that mental health issues stem from demonic influences or immoral actions.
• Communities of Asian American / Pacific Islander descent may believe that they need to live up to expectations of achievement, and that taking time to address mental health challenges would delay their success. For some, sharing their mental health challenges with an outsider might also be considered betrayal of familial and communal bonds. 
• Communities of multiracial descent may experience stigma from multiple ethnic groups. They may experience alienation from communities that hold different beliefs around mental health struggles.
• Communities of Arab and Middle Eastern descent may fear being labeled as someone who struggles with their mental health, as it might ostracize them from their loved ones. They also might experience damnation by religious beliefs that mental health challenges are a form of spiritual punishment

3. Lack of Insurance

Racial disparities in accessing healthcare make it difficult for many people in minority communities to seek therapy and other health treatment. 

Research shows that compared to 7.2 percent of white Americans who are uninsured:

• Hispanic and Native American and Alaskan Native (AIAN) people are uninsured at 19 percent and 21.2 percent respectively.
• Those identifying as Black and Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander (NHOPI) are uninsured at 10.9 percent and 10.8 percent respectively.

4. Lack of Diversity in Mental Health Care Setting

Distrust due to lack of diversity in the mental health care setting is one of the biggest reasons minority groups do not seek therapy. Many people prefer to work with a mental health care provider of a particular race, culture, or identity, as they may feel they can trust their provider on a deeper level. 

When 84% of psychologists in the U.S. identify as white, the lack of racial representation can cause barriers to minority groups when seeking support.

5. Cultural Differences

Difference in language and cultural beliefs can make a tremendous difference in the quality of care provided. While providers don’t necessarily need to identify with a client’s racial or cultural background, it can be frustrating for clients to have to constantly explain or correct a provider when using mental health terms that aren’t part of their cultural background. Textbook psychological terms don’t represent the diverse experiences of people and won’t translate well with all backgrounds. Therefore, representation and competence are necessary in therapy.

The Importance of Culturally Competent Mental Health Care:

For minority communities who face the hurdles of racism, discrimination, marginalization, and inequality, culturally-sensitive care is essential in fostering healing and growth. 

Culturally competent mental health care involves actively integrating cultural knowledge, understanding, and sensitivity into the therapeutic process. For individuals from minority communities, feeling seen, heard, and respected in a clinical setting is essential for building a meaningful therapeutic relationship and beginning the healing process.

Shavon Meyers, LMHC, explains, culturally competent care involves meeting clients where they are: listening without judgment, adapting to individual needs, and creating space for authentic self-expression. This approach builds a foundation of trust, validation, and empowerment, which is critical for long-term healing.

Shavon recognizes that many people from minority communities have been taught to suppress their emotions in order to survive. Shavon avoids making assumptions and honors each client’s pace and readiness to open up. She validates clients’ decision to show up for therapy, especially if clients have had past negative experiences with therapists, showing that therapy can be a more supportive space. 

Additionally, when clients are uncertain about what therapy involves, Shavon offers psychoeducation to build engagement and empowerment within the client. 

Above all, Shavon believes that building trust, showing cultural humility, and validating the client’s lived experience are essential to making a meaningful difference in clients’ lives.

Find Culturally Competent Care at Handel Behavioral Health:

At Handel Behavioral Health, we are committed to supporting people from all different backgrounds and walks of life with humility, respect, and openness. We believe that everyone deserves support and healing, not just during Minority Mental Health Awareness in July, but all year round. 

If you or someone you know is looking for culturally competent mental health care in Massachusetts, our team of compassionate and experienced clinicians is here to help.

To start working with one of our therapists online in Massachusetts or in-person from our offices in Amherst, Franklin, West Springfield, Wilbraham, or Natick offices, contact us today at (413) 343-4357 or request an appointment online.

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