MINORITY MENTAL HEALTH AWARENESS MONTH

July is Minority Mental Health Awareness Month established to draw awareness to the unique challenges that racial and ethnic minorities face with mental health issues. In 2008, July was also designated as the Bebe Moore Campbell National Minority Mental Health Awareness Month by the U. S. House of Representatives. Bebe Moore Campbell was an award-winning black author who is also remembered for her trailblazing work advocating and breaking down systemic barriers for people of color facing mental health issues According to the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI), mental health affects everyone, regardless of race, culture, race, gender, and sexual orientation. However, differences exist between certain conditions and the use of mental health services. At 28.3%, American Indians and Alaska Natives have the highest rate of mental health conditions among all communities. Lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and questioning, (LGBTQ) youth are 2 to 3 times more likely to attempt suicide than straight youth. LBGTQ individuals are also 2 or more 3 times likely as straight individuals to have a mental health condition. The use of mental health services tends to be lower for the African- American, Asian, and Hispanic populations.

The Covid 19 pandemic in particular has exacerbated the prevalence of anxiety and depression among racial and ethnic minorities. Racial and ethnic minorities were disproportionately affected by the pandemic. They also experienced limited access to mental health services due to such factors as job loss, inadequate insurance, language, stigma, discrimination, and shortage of culturally competent and sensitive mental health providers.

A recent survey conducted by the New York Health Foundation reported that 2 in ten (31.5%) of New Yorkers reported poor mental health in 2023. However poor mental health increased most for Asian New Yorkers and Hispanic New Yorkers, 41% of Hispanic New Yorkers reported anxiety and or depression. One in two, (50%) of New Yorkers with incomes less than $25,000 per year reported anxiety and depression. Not surprisingly, one in two (50.7%) of New Yorkers who lost employment income since the onset of the pandemic reported anxiety and depression. Younger New Yorkers between the ages of 18 – 34 reported the highest rates of depression.

In response to the increasing mental health needs of New Yorkers, the New York State and New York City government has implemented the following initiatives:

• Governor Hochul included $1 billion in the FY 2024 budget to expand mental health services in New York State, especially for those individuals with serious chronic mental illness. The prevalence of mental illness and the lack of affordable housing in New York City has increased the number of individuals seeking shelter in the subways. There has been an increase in crimes and assaults involving mentally ill homeless people in the NYC subways. The funding will provide for increased inpatient and outpatient mental health services and additional funding for the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline.

• NYC Mayor Adams also introduced a $20 million plan in conjunction with the NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene called “Care, Community Action: A Mental Health Plan for NYC” This plan takes a public health approach that addresses the needs of children, youth, families, those with serious mental illness and those at risk of drug overdose.

• The NYC Council also released a “Mental Health Roadmap” that proposes to expand preventive and supportive services, including school-based screenings, mental health services in family shelters, and youth mental health programs. It also addresses the mental health workforce shortage and the connection between mental health and the criminal justice system.

Based on our review of proposed programs and initiatives, it appears that a lot needs to be done at every level to address the mental health needs of underserved individuals. Increased advocacy efforts are needed to address the following:

1. Better Access to Inpatient and Outpatient services for underserved groups. More inpatient psychiatric beds are needed for the severely mentally ill but more supportive housing is also needed for those mentally ill who are not able to live independently and need help regarding medication adherence, accessing therapy, and other services. According to the Coalition for the Homeless, homelessness in NYC has reached the highest levels since the Great Depression of the 1930s. In December 2022, there were 68,994 homeless people including 21,805 children sleeping in the shelter system. Research shows that homeless single adults have higher rates of serious mental illness, addiction, and other severe health problems.

2. Increase education and information campaigns targeted to racial and ethnic minorities to increase their awareness of mental health issues and services and programs available to those seeking care. The research suggests that racial and ethnic minorities are less likely to seek mental health services and may not be accustomed to seeking professional help or therapy.

3. Increase education and information campaigns to increase awareness of practices and support to promote and maintain mental health including stress reduction techniques, the use of therapy, meditation, bereavement, and counseling services

4. Increase the number of culturally competent healthcare professionals available to meet the diverse needs of racial and ethnic minorities and the LGBTQ community.

5. Provide support for community-based initiatives that support mental health such as programs operated by local churches, schools, and youth recreational and arts programs.

6. Improved financing and insurance for mental health services and free or low-cost care. Preventive mental health services such as therapy can be expensive and not always fully covered by various insurance plans. Payment for care is even more problematic for those who are undocumented or lack insurance.

Reference Sources

1. https://www.nami.org/Get-Involved/Awareness-Events/Bebe-Moore-Campbell-National-Minority-Mental-Health-Awareness-month?gad=1&gclid=CjwKCAjwtuOlBhBREiwA7agf1pApv-TAhttps://minorityhealth.hhs.gov/minority-mental-health/MUxPrhOVZ_47zeIUDqVQcNSDcuOa2Nr8d-uoRl6GZOyEnxoCWZoQAvD_BwE

2. https://minorityhealth.hhs.gov/minority-mental-health/

3. https://www.cdc.gov/healthequity/features/minority-mental-health/index.html

4. https://nyhealthfoundation.org/resource/still-recovering-mental-health-impact-of-the-covid-19-pandemic-in-new-york-state/

5. https://www.coalitionforthehomeless.org/basic-facts-about-homelessness-new-york-city/

6. https://council.nyc.gov/mental-health-road-map/

7. https://www.nyc.gov/assets/doh/care-community-action-mental-health-plan/index.html

8. https://www.governor.ny.gov/news/governor-hochul-announces-passage-1-billion-plan-overhaul-new-york-states-continuum-mental