Disparities in Mental Health Care for Minorities

Differences in health outcomes are based on biological factors, environmental exposures, social, economic, and cultural contexts, and access to quality health care. When such factors are affecting a disadvantaged group, these are called health disparities. 

Statistics about disparities in Mental Health Care:

• People from racial and ethnic minority groups are less likely to receive mental health care; 48% of white people received mental health services, 31% Black people and Hispanics, and 22% of Asians

• Depression rates are lower in Black (24.6%) and Hispanic (19.6%) communities compared to white (34.7%), but it is likely to be more persistent

• When African Americans seek care, they receive poorer quality of care compared to the rest of the population

• ⅓ African Americans receive mental health care when they need it

• African Americans are less likely to be offered medication therapy or psychotherapy

• African Americans who suffer from schizophrenia, bipolar disorders, and other psychoses are more likely to be incarcerated than people of other races

• 2.7 million of Asian American/Pacific Islander have mental and/or substance use disorder

• Asian Americans report fewer mental health conditions compared to non-Hispanic whites and other racial/ethnic groups

• Asian American/Pacific Islanders are least likely to seek mental health services than any other racial/ethnic group

• Asian American/Pacific Islanders are 3x less likely to access mental health services than white counterparts 

• LGBTQ people are 2x as likely to have a mental health disorder compared to heterosexual men and women

• Most common mental health condition in women is depression

• 2x as many women experience depression in their lifetime compared to men

• 1 in 5 women in the U.S. have a mental health condition such as depression, PTSD, or an eating disorder 

Why is this important to know about:

• Learning about these statistics can provide mental health care professionals a better guide into handling mental health issues with minorities

• Research could be taken to understand and prevent these mental health care disparities from occurring

• Research could also be used to provide better testing for these individuals to receive the correct and sufficient help they need

• Learning about these statistics can reduce the stigma in these cultures about mental health care

Disparities within mental health care for minorities is important to learn and know more about because it can prevent stigma and these disparities from still occurring. Racial and ethnic groups suffer from these mental health disparities due to discrimination within the health care system, stigmas within their own culture, and outside discrimination they face that affects their mental health. These groups are less likely to be taken seriously when it comes to their mental health by professionals and are less likely to ask for the support they need.