July is National Minority Mental Health Awareness Month, and there are often stigmas surrounding access to care and cultural perceptions for mental health and mental health treatment.
Jesus Alderete, BSN RN and Behavioral Health Nursing Director for Valleywise Health, joined “Arizona Horizon” to discuss these challenges and the importance of culturally responsive mental health care.
Studies have shown mental health challenges in communities of color have often gone untreated. According to Alderete, this is the result of a mix of lack of access to mental health treatment and the negative image of mental health treatment in some cultural groups.
Research shows that mental illness attacks anyone with no discrimination, and it affects roughly 25% of Americans. Of everyone who experiences a mental illness, minorities are not likely to receive treatment. According to Alderete, roughly 21% of Hispanics and 17% of Black Americans receive treatment compared to 33% of White people who receive treatment.
Alderete said the key to breaking stigmas and barriers that keep people away from seeking treatment for their mental illnesses is being open and prioritizing communication.
“Normalize communication about mental health, because right now we believe that we cannot even talk about it. We believe that there is something to be ashamed of or something that cannot be attained,” Alderete said.
Campaigns, interviews, one-on-one conversations, social media are among some of the ways Alderete and others are trying to reach communities and individuals, encouraging them to seek help if they need it.
To those who feel like they cannot or should not reach out for help, this is Alderete’s message:
“They don’t have to struggle alone. It is ok to come and seek help. There’s lots of resources out there and there is a lot of support towards normalizing treatment that aligns with their culture and their beliefs.”
