Minority Mental Health Month: Disparities create barriers to good mental health

by Mikel LePorte
Mental Health Columnist

For a brief time during my fifth-grade year, my family lived in Van Horn, TX. Van Horn is a small farming community in West Texas and about 120 miles from any other town. It is also predominantly, or at least it was when I lived there, populated by Hispanics.

Until this time, I had lived in the same town in Oklahoma, and I had a hard time adjusting from being away from my extended family and my friends. While living in Van Horn, I was teased relentlessly by the other students. This teasing was made worse because they did so in Spanish, so I had no idea what they were saying. I simply knew that they were pointing and laughing at me.

For a brief period, I experienced what it was like to be a minority. This experience, though, in no way compares to the minority stress, microaggressions and discrimination that people of color regularly experience for their entire lives. I am aware of the privileges I have been given as a white male. None more so regarding access to mental health practitioners.

There are many factors preventing minority communities from gaining access to mental health providers. First, are the various cultural beliefs that minority groups hold about mental health. For many cultures, talking about one’s problems with a stranger, or at all, is seen as improper.

Another barrier to accessing mental health can be the spiritual beliefs of the community. For many minority cultures, relying on one’s faith to work through problems is seen as the preferred way of dealing with one’s mental health issues. The opinions and beliefs of family also play a major role in deterring people of color from seeking help for one’s mental health concerns.

Finally, the fact that minority communities have been incorrectly linked to pathology at greater levels than Caucasians has created a level of distrust of mental health professionals.

Another major barrier to proper mental health care can be the attitudes of the provider. The ACA mandates that counselors’ practice with developmental and cultural sensitivity. However, the level of understanding of racial and cultural minorities varies by practitioner.

This lack of understanding can lead to a therapist misdiagnosing a client, misinterpreting preferred communication styles, or imposing one’s personal beliefs onto the client.

July is Minority Mental Health Awareness Month. Although barriers to mental health can exist in greater occurrence for minorities, there are options available.

If you are a member of a minority community, and you believe you could use some help in addressing mental health concerns, I encourage you to do so.

Take your time when searching for a therapist. Look for one who is culturally competent in your cultural, racial and ethnic background. If you are working with a therapist, and you believe they do not fully understand you or your background, have an honest conversation with your therapist. If that does not work, ask for a referral to another counselor.

Many mental health providers understand the nuances of various cultures and are waiting to help you address your mental health concerns in a way that fits you.