The Black Community and Barriers to Mental Health Care
This Juneteenth, it’s important to recognize the struggles that Black people face when it comes to mental health care.
Mental illness doesn’t discriminate, but people can. Whether conscious or subconscious, internal biases in mental health care systems create obstacles for people of color seeking treatment for mental health issues. In order to resolve these issues, we not only have to seek equality, we also have to actively fight against inequality in all of its forms. Here is some more information about what you can do to understand and fight against systemic racism in mental healthcare systems.
What challenges are faced?
Misdiagnosis: Compared to white people with the same symptoms, Black people are far more likely to be diagnosed with schizophrenia or psychotic disorders, and white people are more likely to be diagnosed with mood disorders, such as depression. These differing diagnoses can be caused by differences in expression of emotional distress. When care providers aren’t culturally aware, these differences can result in misdiagnosis. Lack of proper care and diagnoses can also result in over-prescription of antipsychotic medications and stigmatization of Black communities. [1]
Mental health services: Black people with mental illness can be involuntarily hospitalized as a result of seeking care, or of interactions with law enforcement. They are also more likely to turn to temporary, emergency health services rather than long-term, community based mental health care, because culturally competent providers aren’t readily available. [1] [2]
Incarceration: Black people with mental health conditions, particularly schizophrenia, bipolar disorders, and other psychoses are more likely to be incarcerated than people of other races. Paired with the increased diagnoses of schizophrenia, Black people are more likely to face criminalization or incarceration for their mental health. This can also make them distrustful of mental health systems. [1]
How can you help?
Be informed. Read books, read the news, listen to podcasts. Listen to and amplify Black voices as Black people share their experiences with mental health. Learn more about cultural differences and be conscious of your internal biases when thinking about mental health.
Support the Black community. Reach out to Black friends, peers, and coworkers to show support. Don’t place an undue burden for them to educate you, but make sure that those around you know that you care for them.
Get involved. Whether making a donation, advocating on social media, voting, or attending a protest, involving yourself to support Black people is a great way to combat racial barriers.
Interested in donating to celebrate Juneteenth? Consider these organizations:
NBCDI National Black Child Development Institute
Footnotes
[1] 4 Bell C, et al. “Misdiagnosis of African-Americans with Psychiatric Issues-Part II.” J Natl Med Assoc. 2015. 107(3):35-41. http://www.journalnma.org/ article/S0027-9684(15)30049-3/pdf
[2] SAMHSA (2015). Racial/ ethnic differences in Mental health service use among adults. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Publication No. SMA-15-4906. Rockville, Md