Examining the Impact of Racism on Mental Health Services
In the United States, mental health care experiences for Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) individuals are often impacted by cultural beliefs, language barriers, and a lack of understanding about race-based trauma. These factors, combined with systemic and individual barriers, make it more challenging for people of color to access quality mental health care.
One such barrier is the difficulty in enrolling in clinical trials. Issues like lack of insurance, access to quality hospitals, and overt and implicit bias or discriminatory behaviors can hinder participation. Racism negatively affects the mental well-being of communities of color, leading to disparities in diagnosis rates, treatment options, and more.
Historically, people of color have been underrepresented in mental health research, particularly in clinical trials and studies. This lack of representation has resulted in disparities in mental health diagnoses, treatment, and outcomes for BIPOC patients.
Racial bias also plays a significant role in mental health professionals' perceptions of mental health conditions in people of color, potentially leading to misdiagnosis and inappropriate treatment. A study in 2020 found that daily discrimination or discrimination in healthcare-related situations increased someone's odds of experiencing a barrier to healthcare by two to three times. Each type of discrimination led to a 1.3x increase in the odds of someone experiencing a barrier to care.
Older adults who experience both ageism and racism may be over two and a half times more likely to delay or go without mental health services. Microaggressions, or actions that seem harmless but create harmful and toxic environments for marginalized people, can also negatively impact the healthcare experiences of those seeking mental health services.
For healthcare professionals, self-reflection, education, and a commitment to change are the most essential elements of providing culturally competent care. Organizational change is crucial to addressing structural and systemic racism in mental health care. This includes partnering with community leaders, educating and diversifying staff, and providing safe spaces for discussions about race, ethnicity, culture, and racism.
Finding a culturally competent mental health professional can be an important step for people of color seeking effective mental health care. Resources for finding such professionals include Clinicians of Color, Inclusive Therapists, Health in her HUE, Asian Mental Health Collective, and Latinx Therapy.
Change in mental health care organizations and leadership is necessary to address racism and create change on a larger scale. For those seeking advocacy resources, consider checking out the Advocacy & Equity information hub. In a society where one in five adults experience mental illness each year, and five percent of those adults experience serious mental health conditions, it is crucial that we strive for a more equitable and inclusive mental health care system.
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