Why Minorities Need Help

There is a need for all people to understand and learn how to cope with mental health. However, it is even more important for ethnic minorities because stigma remains a barrier for ethnic minorities to receive help for mental illnesses and addiction. Because they do not get the help needed, their mental illness and or addiction further impact their lives in a negative way as well as future generations. Data suggests that 48% of white Americans receive treatment for their mental health while less than 31% of African Americans and Hispanics receive treatment and less than 22% of Asian Americans receive treatment. This disparity in treatment is because of cultural stigmas, the lack of availability, the belief that mental health treatment is not effective or culturally relevant, and the cost-value relationship of mental health treatment. The high level of mental health stigma in minority populations and mental health systems is a primary barrier to treatment. Another barrier is language barriers as there are insufficient numbers of providers who speak languages other than English. As well, bias and discrimination in the treatment setting can hinder the process of ethnic minorities receiving the care needed to live happy and healthy lives.