Disparity in access to mental health services among minorities

Nelson Mandela once tweeted “ Health cannot be a question of income; it is a fundamental human right”. The ‘health’ in the quote can refer to any well-being of an individual. Let it be physical, social, spiritual, intellectual and mental.

Back in the Covid pandemic, highly-populated nations, economically deprived nations and underrepresented communities faced a shortage of Covid vaccines, medical equipment, booster shots etc. If we were to list out the reasons, we would need millions of papers. They varied from economic inadequacy to financial burdens to minorities and so on. The result was quite horrendous. We saw millions of people lying in bed, breathless, breathing their last breath. No one deserved to go through that painful process. Similarly, people dealt with disparity in access to mental health services and resources. July was observed as Minority Mental Health Month, to shed light on their struggles for receiving equal or basic mental health resources. A prominent figure played a crucial role in this process. Bebe Moore Campbell was an American author and journalist. She advocated for the needs of the minorities selflessly day and night. Thanks to her, today the minorities and the underrepresented communities are able to have the little access they can to services and resources.

Apart from factors like- inability to access resources, discrimination and lack of awareness of mental health, factors like cultural stigma deprive the minorities the little dignity, access and hope they have. Lots of and lots of data has shown the great disparity amongst the communities. Scientific studies have shown that:

1. Ethnic/racial minorities often bear a disproportionately high burden of disability resulting from mental disorders.

2. Although rates of depression are lower in blacks (24.6%) and Hispanics (19.6%) than in whites (34.7%), depression in blacks and Hispanics is likely to be more persistent.

3. American Indians/Alaskan Natives report higher rates of posttraumatic stress disorder and alcohol dependence than any other ethic/ racial group

4. White Americans are more likely to die by suicide than people of other ethnic/racial groups.

This is a sample of what data has found out. There have been a lot of factors affecting this starting from mental health stigma, language barriers, lack of diversity amongst providers, distrust in health care systems etc. Although lots of reforms have been made, the progress remains sedate. It has become difficult to revive resources.

This calls out the need to increase access to more masses.

Here's an obeisance to all those who've shed their blood, sweat and tears in the past and to those who continue to do so.