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One in six Americans suffer from a diagnosable, treatable mental health condition. However, minority groups — African Americans, Hispanics, Asian Americans and Native Americans — are more likely to experience the risk factors that can cause such disorders. In one study, African Americans were found to have significantly higher rates of schizophrenia compared to whites. In contrast to their white counterparts, African Americans were also more likely to report their depression as being extremely severe and disabling. Meanwhile, Native Americans and Alaska Natives have a higher tendency to experience feelings of nervousness and restlessness when compared to non-Hispanic white people.

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Providing access to necessary resources and additional support for these patients is critical. Here are some starting points:

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• Education and awareness: Despite progress in recent years, there is still a stigma associated with mental illness. Embarrassment can be lessened by helping people in at-risk communities understand that mental health is an essential part of well-being — just like a healthy diet, sleep and exercise. Initiatives such as Mental Health First Aid , endorsed by Michelle Obama, are helping people to better understand and respond to signs of mental illness.

• Policy changes: Universal mental health care coverage would dramatically improve access for minorities. Quality improvement efforts include screening, cultural sensitivity training and language-appropriate treatment and educational materials. At the federal level, policies  would assist in training a diverse workforce to adequately meet America’s mental health needs.

• Advocacy and outreach: Public health advocates have proven effective in reducing barriers to care for at-risk communities. For instance, the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration created the Office of Behavioral Health Equity (OBHE), which aims to eliminate disparities in mental and/or substance abuse disorders across all populations. OBHE’s outreach strategies include helping underserved racial and ethnic groups within communities understand the importance of maintaining good emotional health.

• Integrating behavioral health with primary care: In minority communities where specialists are not plentiful, identifying a mental health practitioner can be a challenge. However, integrating mental health care with primary care could reduce disparitiesin access to care and could increase the odds of identifying a patient’s mental illness.

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https://nursing.usc.edu/blog/discrimination-bad-health-minority-mental-healthcare/