7 Statistics about Mental Health in BIPOC Communities
In our big, diverse world, we’re honored to take a moment to explore mental health in BIPOC communities. As you may know, July was BIPOC Mental Health Awareness Month! But just because July is over, doesn’t mean it’s time to leave this important topic behind.
The truth is, mental health conditions do not discriminate.
That’s why, today, we’re proud to support Mental Health America’s #BeyondtheNumbers campaign to explore BIPOC mental health, and ways to support mental wellness in these communities.
These key statistics highlight the unique struggles that BIPOC communities face when it comes to mental illness and mental health care.
Research shows that BIPOC communities are significantly more likely to develop mental health conditions, while also facing unique barriers to mental health treatment. Our goal is that sharing this research helps raise awareness, increase understanding, and support early intervention.
Throughout this post, we’ll highlight the following groups:
American Indian/Alaska Native
Arab/Middle Eastern/Muslim/South Asian
Asian/Pacific
Black/African American
Latinx/Hispanic
Multiracial
A Note about the Term BIPOC
Throughout this article, we’ll use the term “BIPOC” - which stands for “Black, Indigenous, and people of color” - to encompass all people and communities of color. But even as we use this term in an effort to respect and honor racial and ethnic identities, we understand that BIPOC communities are not a monolith.
Here at Little Otter, we recognize all of the cultures within BIPOC communities, their individual and group experiences, and how these relate to their well-being.
Every family is different. Every family sees the world from unique perspectives. And every family’s mental health is both personal and interconnected; when one member of the family is struggling, everyone is affected.
Mental health conditions don’t discriminate. This data helps bring to light the importance of improving access to mental health diagnosis, support, and treatment in BIPOC communities, but numbers alone can’t tell the whole story. That’s why we’re taking Mental Health America’s lead, and trying to share information about context, support systems, and ways to move forward.
Mental Health in the American Indian/Alaska Native (AIAN) Community
More than 3.7 million people in the US identify as = American Indian/Alaska Natives (AIAN), while an additional 5.9M identify as a combination of AIAN and another race. This includes more than 570 federally recognized AIAN tribes and nations.
Research indicates that an estimated 18.7% of American Indian/Alaskan Natives (AIAN) have experienced a mental health condition in the past year.
This community faces significant barriers to access to mental health care and other health resources, due to factors including but not limited relatively high levels of poverty and rural locations of many AIAN communities.
Protective Factors for AIAN Communities
There are also protective factors in AIAN communities that can support mental health and wellness. They include:
Strong intergenerational family and community bonds, and connection to nature.
Deep connections to the past and wisdom of elders.
Strong connections to and involvement in traditional activities and spirituality, including rituals, storytelling, dance, and natural medicines.
Self-identification with own American Indian/Alaska Native culture.
Ways to Support AIAN Mental Health
To support American Indian/Alaska Native communities and promote mental wellness, Mental Health America recommends:
Fund and encourage the diverse recruitment and training of culturally responsive American Indian/Alaska Native mental health practitioners
Utilize the expertise of community resources and relationships in American Indian/Alaska Native communities to inform practices and policies around wellness
Advocate for land back, reparations, and much needed resources that fill in the major gaps of today’s American Indian/Alaska Native communities
Mental Health in the Arab/Middle Eastern/Muslim/South Asian Heritage Community
Current studies estimate that more than 10M Americans are members of the Arab/Middle Eastern/Muslim/South Asian (AMEMSA) cultural group, with heritages originating from more than 30 countries and territories.
Approximately 20% of South Asian Americans will experience an anxiety or mood disorder in their lifetime.
However, understanding of the impact of mental health in these communities in limited by a lack of data available on the national scale. As these groups are under-researched, there is little understanding of the nuances of mental health disparities and strengths in these communities. That leads to limited cultural sensitivity. A lack of linguistically relevant material also limits access to care and contributes to misdiagnosis. Generalized discrimination and Islamophobia also contributes to significant challenges with accessing care.
In addition, cultural beliefs may contribute to mental health stigma.
Protective Factors for Mental Health in AMEMSA Communities
There are also protective factors in AMEMSA communities that can support mental health and wellness. They include:
Strong connections to faith
High use of Imams as mental health and spiritual counselors
Understanding of community mental health, and strong family and community connections
Emphasis on practices such as yoga and meditation to promote well-being
Ways to Support Mental Health
To support Arab/Middle Eastern/Muslim/South Asian communities and promote mental wellness, Mental Health America recommends:
Include AMEMSA categorization in data collection forms.
Fund and include community-based organizations and experts to bring more understanding of AMEMSA needs and desires in practice and policy.
Apply a faith-based, trauma-informed and culturally responsive approach to mental health care of AMEMSA communities.
Use AMEMSA expertise and specific culturally responsive education to inform mental health care practices.
Mental Health in the Asian/Pacific Community
Estimates indicate that more approximately 23 million Asian/Pacific Americans live in the U.S., including those with a combination of Asian/Pacific heritage and another race. This group includes individuals from more than 40 countries and territories, including those originating from East Asia and the Pacific Islands, as well as Native Hawaiians.
Studies indicate that there are at least 2.9M Asian/Pacific Americans living with mental health conditions.
Multiple barriers do exist that limit Asian/Pacific Americans’ ability to access mental health care. Two stereotypes in particularly contribute to difficulties:
The “perpetual foreigner” stereotype, a myth that Asian/Pacific individuals are inherently foreign, regardless of their place of birth and experiences.
The “model minority” stereotype, which gives the impression that Asian/Pacific Americans are always successful due to strict adherence to Asian cultural norms and no longer face social barriers.
These myths end up both ostracizing these Americans, and minimizing their needs.
In addition, more than a third of Asian Americans don’t speak English fluently, which presents a significant barrier to mental health education and care. A disparity in insurance coverage is another significant barrier. These challenges, combined with persistent mental health stigma in these communities due to cultural beliefs, can make it difficult for Asian/Pacific Americans to access the mental health support they need.
Protective Factors for Mental Health in Asian/Pacific Communities
Protective factors do exist in the Asian/Pacific communities that serve to support mental health and wellness. They include:
Self-identification within one’s own Asian/Pacific culture.
Strong family and community bonds.
Help-seeking with native healers.
Ways to Support Mental Health
To support mental health in Asian/Pacific communities and promote mental wellness, Mental Health America advises to:
Fund programs and resources that provide culturally responsive education for Asian/Pacific Americans, and use this expertise to inform mental health care practices.
Identify community supports and incorporate community care practices into mental health treatment.
Identify specific cultures (when relevant) and seek to minimize generalizations.
Acknowledge potential biases, such as the “model minority” myth and "perpetual foreigner” stereotype.
Mental Health in the Black and African American Community
Nearly 45 million individuals in the US identify as black, and at least 3.1 million identify as a combination of Black and another race. These communities come from various areas of Africa, including areas from where the first humans are thought to originate 2-6 million years ago. However, specific ethnic origins may have been lost over time due to slavery.
More than 7 million Black and African Americans in the U.S. are living with a mental health condition.
Less than half of Black and African American adults with serious mental health conditions received treatment.
A history of slavery and severe oppression, including racist and false mental diagnoses, must be acknowledged. Erasure of the contributions of Black and African Americans from history, as well as historical dehumanization, oppression, violence, and discrimination still exist today as intergenerational trauma.
Barriers to care in the Black/African American community exist. Persistent and documented racism continues to impact access to and delivery of care in the health system, including mental health. In addition, this history contributes to distrust in authorities. Black/African Americans also face difficulties in accessing services, due to lack of insurance coverage and racial bias, among other factors. Persistent stigma may also prevent individuals from seeking care or support. Racial disparities in mental health outcomes are well-documented.
Protective Factors for Mental Health in Black/African American Communities
Protective factors that help to support mental health and wellness in this community include:
Cultural value of family and community bonds, and reliance on community bonds.
Expression through spirituality and/or art.
Connection to one’s own Black/African American identity, and having a strong sense of community, heritage, and history.
Importance of religion and/or spirituality.
Ways to Support Mental Health
To support Black/African American communities and promote mental wellness, Mental Health America recommends:
Explore community resources, cultural practices, and faith as part of mental health care practices.
Using Black/African American expertise and culturally responsive education to inform mental health care practices.
Fund the development of a more culturally responsive mental health workforce through diverse recruitment, educational resources, and screening tools for Black/African Americans.
Advocate for stronger systemic support for Black/African American communities, including in the justice system, education, and health care.
Mental Health in the Latinx/Hispanic Community
More than 61 million Latinx/Hispanic individuals live in the U.S., from more than 20 different countries, all with unique cultures, beliefs, and experiences. The term “Latinx and Hispanic” reflects those who are from Latin America or who come from a country that was or is primarily Spanish-speaking. That said, not all Hispanic individuals are Latinx, and vice-versa.
Almost 10 million Latinx/Hispanic individuals in the U.S. are living with mental health conditions.
Inequities and discrimination, as well as the historical effects of mass genocide and colonization, present barriers to care. Latinx/Hispanic individuals may fear seeking help due to threats of violence, stereotyping, or discrimination. Systemic oppression has also led to challenges with housing, economic security, food, and health care. For undocumented immigrants, lack of work permits, health insurance, as well as fear of deportation, can cause significant distress and prevent access to mental health care. Differences in language and cultural communication also leads to challenges with accessing care, accurate diagnosis, and treatment. A cultural value on strength and hard work may also cause individuals to overlook their need for care, or prevent them from seeking support due to stigma.
Protective Factors for Mental Health in Latinx/Hispanic Community
Protective factors that help to support mental health and wellness in this community include:
Diversity among cultures that generates resiliency and strength.
Strong family and community bonds, as well as largely multi-generational communities.
Use of traditional and community care resources, such as church, prayer circles, traditional healers, and practices such as dance, music, and celebrations.
Willingness to protect and rely on ancient wisdom and natural resources to maintain health and wellness.
More trust in primary care physicians, and willingness to report mental health concerns there first.
Ways to Support Mental Health
To support Latinx/Hispanic communities and promote mental wellness, Mental Health America recommends:
Using Latinx/Hispanic expertise and specific culturally responsive education to inform mental health care practices.
Include community support resources in mental health care practices.
Advocate for laws and policies that directly impact Latinx/Hispanic mental health and wellbeing, including fair wages, affordable housing, immigration support, and other social services.
Mental Health in Multiracial Communities
Almost 7% of Americans report having two or more races in their background; individuals with a multiracial heritages are one of the fastest-growing group in the US. More than 60% of these individuals are proud of their background.
Approximately a quarter of people identifying as two or more races have reported experiencing a mental health condition in the last year.
This group does face barriers to care, including a commonly shared experience of being targeted or made fun of, as well as feelings of displacement. Access to culturally competent care, as well as a lack of data, also contributes to challenges with mental health care.
Protective Factors for Mental Health in Multiracial Communities
Protective factors that help to support mental health and wellness in this community include:
A firm sense of resilience among multiracial children and adolescents.
Highest estimates of getting mental health care of BIPOC groups.
Pride in multicultural heritage.
Culturally diverse identities leads to better empathy and appreciation of other identities.
Ways to Support Mental Health
To support multiracial communities and promote their mental wellness, Mental Health America recommends:
Practitioners must explore the nuances of multiracial identities and the unique needs of each individual through diversified education and cultural humility.
Include opportunities for multiracial self-identification in screening tools, data collection, and research.
Fund and promote the inclusion of multiracial resources.
How Does Little Otter Support BIPOC Families?
At Little Otter, our mental health clinicians are experts in cultural awareness and trauma-informed pediatric mental health care. We have a team of diverse clinicians ready to work with your individual child.
Little Otter uses a comprehensive assessment from multiple sources to inform diagnoses for children, which are developed by LO Chief Medical and Scientific Officer, Dr. Helen Egger. Then, we create a personalized treatment plan using a collaborative whole-family approach.
As your family navigates your child’s unique mental health journey, Little Otter is available for assessment, therapeutic services, and parenting support.
Our diverse clinicians are ready to work with your individual child, and support your entire family’s wellness.
Additional Resources:
Digital Mental Health Screening Tools - Mental Health America
BIPOC Mental Health Month #BeyondtheNumbers Report - Mental Health America
