top of page

Mental Health for All & Suicide Resources

By Zenisha Shah, CEI Writer and Counselor at Innisfree House School and Margaret Bass, CEI Research Assistant

Imagine how your life would be impacted if you had to, first, find a specialist to address your mental health concerns equitably—without bias our judgement? This is a reality, if you are a member of an ethnic, racial, religious, or gender group. Accessing quality mental health services has been a struggle for individuals who belong to these groups (Shushansky, 2017).


Suicide Awareness Month

The time has come for the proactive public health prevention of the Suicide crisis. Suicide rates have dramatically increased among Black and African American communities, with nationwide suicide rates of Black children younger than 18 having risen 71% in the last decade (Robinson, 2021). Reducing suicide rates and recognizing suicide and mental health disparities signify the critical discussion of Black mental health.


In honor of Suicide Awareness Month, BestColleges.com curated an accessible resource on suicide rates in the black community. Understanding mental health care through an equity lens, maintains the prevalent urgency to discern the resources discussing:



With Black and African American university students experiencing mental health care disparities in accessibility to culturally competent and sensitive support, as well as barriers within the healthcare system, this Mental Health for Black and African American Students Guide provides empowering resources covering Black mental health, ways of choosing the right support, different forms of mental health support, prevalent barriers, and an integral list of resources including but not limited to:

Disparities Start Early

The disparity for some populations who seek mental health help and treatment starts in childhood. Latinx and African American children made 49% and 37% fewer visits, respectively, to the psychiatrist than did white children, despite their equal need (Marrast, 2016).

The William Grant report (Alegria et al., 2015), states that most psychiatric disorders have their onset in childhood or adolescence, and thereby become a risk factor in lifelong development and treatment of mental health. Unfortunately, adverse childhood experiences, which some groups experience at higher rates, not only contribute to adverse mental health but also more trouble with the criminal justice system.

As Dr. Lyndonna Marrast, author of Racial and Ethnic Disparities in Mental Health Care for Children and Young Adults: A National Study rightfully states, “It has become increasingly clear that minorities are overrepresented in the criminal justice system and underrepresented in the receipt of mental health care. We need to look closely at how equitably our health care institutions are serving all segments of society.”

Explaining the Disparity

To help these individuals, we first need to understand why this disparity in access and treatment for some groups, such as people of color and those who identify as LGBTQ, occurs. There are many reasons they aren’t getting proper care. Here are some of them:

  1. A lack of research on mental health needs for diverse populations

  2. The mental health system is based on different cultural norms and values

  3. Misdiagnosis of mental illness due to lack of cultural awareness and understanding

  4. Perceptual discrepancies and faulty beliefs in some communities (i.e. “Mental health treatment doesn’t work.”)

  5. Higher stigma attached to mental health in various cultures

  6. Discrimination, bias and racism in treatment clinics

  7. Other cultural barriers like language and family values

  8. Physical barriers like lesser finances to spare for health care insurance, transportation issues, and availability of mental health services in a certain neighborhood

Promoting Mental Health Equity

As we move towards a more globalized world, we need a more culturally sensitive and competent mental health system. Moving towards more effective and better mental health for the all populations will not only help the individuals from the marginalized groups, but also help bridge the inequity gap. Investing in mental health can help improve individuals’ productivity, decrease crime rates, and thereby increase community well-being.

To improve mental health and well-being for all individuals, we must first educate ourselves, our students, teachers, and clinicians about our inherent biases and stigma attached with certain groups. Awareness is the first step to addressing this inequity; however, we can’t stop there. We need to have the difficult conversations about discrimination and bias. We can train our teachers, counselors and clinicians to be culturally competent and increase the number of mental health service providers who have worked with diverse groups. We can increase programs that help others understand childhood adversity and trauma. We also need to involve parents, families and communities to ensure equity. Finally, we must do more research with a variety of populations (American Psychological Association, 2019). The list below highlights some resources that can help individuals from various groups.

Mental Health Resources for All

References

Alegría, M., Greif Green, J., McLaughlin, K. A., & Loder, S. (2015). Disparities in Child and Adolescent Mental Health and Mental Health Services in the U.S. William T. Grant Foundation. American Psychological Association. (2019). Addressing racial and ethnic disparities in youth mental health. American Psychological Association. American Psychological Association. (2019). Promoting positive mental health among racial/ethnic minority children: Ensuring and enhancing services, programs, and resources. American Psychological Association. John, T. (2016). 8 Reasons Racial and Ethnic Minorities Receive Less Mental Health Treatment. Arundel Lodge Behavioral Health. Liang, J., Matheson, B. E., & Douglas, J. M. (2016). Mental Health Diagnostic Considerations in Racial/Ethnic Minority Youth. Journal of Child and Family Studies, 25, 1926–1940. DOI 10.1007/s10826-015-0351-z Marrast, L. (2016). Racial and Ethnic Disparities in Mental Health Care for Children and Young Adults: A National Study. Physicians for a National Health Program. Mental Health America. (2019). Minority mental health. Mental Health America. Office of Minority Health. (2019, July 1). Minority Mental Health Awareness Month July. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

Shushansky, L. (2017). Disparities Within Minority Mental Health Care. National Alliance on Mental Illness.

327 views69 comments

69 Comments


Corteiz Clothing as a CRTZ RTW Official Website at the sale price in France. Get Amazing Corteiz Hoodie Shirts & Cargos... Big Discount With Free shipping.



Like

Amelia marie
Amelia marie
2 days ago

Free eCards are like the choir of heartfelt wishes, where every contributor sings a tune of love. They're more than just digital notes; they're expressions of shared positivity, turning moments into a symphony of love and heartfelt connection.


Like

John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) Terminal is a bustling hub that seamlessly blends innovation with world-class service. Serving millions of travelers annually, it offers a modern travel experience with cutting-edge facilities, diverse dining options, and high-end retail stores. Home to major international airlines, THY JFK Terminal ensures smooth connections, exceptional comfort, and vibrant cultural displays. Whether departing or arriving, JFK embodies the spirit of global connectivity and is a gateway to the world’s most exciting destinations.

Like

Seraphina Moon
Seraphina Moon
5 days ago

The blog post highlights the importance of prioritizing mental health and provides valuable suicide prevention resources. It emphasizes awareness, community support, and timely intervention to combat the rising mental health crisis. The content includes links to helplines, professional guidance, and educational tools aimed at fostering emotional well-being and saving lives.

Need help mastering programming concepts? MyAssignmentHelp offers expert programming assignment help to simplify your academic journey. From Python and Java to C++ and database management, our skilled professionals deliver precise, plagiarism-free solutions tailored to your needs. We also provide help with debugging, algorithm design, and web development projects. With 24/7 support, affordable pricing, and a commitment to quality, we ensure stress-free assignment submissions and improved grades. Whether you’re stuck on a…


Edited
Like

In many cases, attorneys work on a contingency basis, meaning they only get paid if they win your case, so there’s minimal risk in consulting with one. Having a dedicated motorcycle accident attorney by your side can bring peace of mind and help you focus on recovery while they advocate for your best interests.arlington auto accident attorney

Like
bottom of page