Mental health disparities
SOC 436 Topic 1 Discussion Question 2
Research mental health disparities in your home state and identify any intersectionality you may find with class and ethnicity/race. What programs or policies are in place to minimize the disparity?
ADDITIONAL DETAILS
Mental health disparities
Introduction
Mental health is a serious matter. It affects every aspect of our lives and impacts each of us in different ways. This means that it’s important to get educated about mental health disparities, so that we can learn more about them and do what we can to make things better for everyone affected by mental illness. In this post, I’ll discuss various mental health disparities—including their causes and solutions—as well as some resources for those who are interested in learning more about the topic.
Differences in mental health treatment for people of different races
There are several reasons why people of color experience different rates of mental health treatment than white people. First, there is evidence that suggests that people of color are less likely to be diagnosed with a mental illness. In addition, we know that when they do receive treatment for their diagnoses, it tends to be less effective and shorter in duration than those received by white patients.
Another factor contributing to disparities in care may be race-based differences in access to services and insurance coverage: Studies show that African Americans are more likely than whites to live below federal poverty level (the official measure used by the federal government), which means they’re unlikely able to afford health care or medication costs associated with some conditions like depression or schizophrenia; these factors can lead them not only being denied appropriate treatment but also delaying seeking help altogether due fear of financial burden associated with getting help from professionals outside one’s own community
How mental health stigma affects non-white populations.
Stigma is a barrier to treatment and recovery.
Stigma is a barrier to seeking help.
Stigma can prevent people from getting better.
Treatment for veterans.
Veterans are twice as likely to commit suicide as non-veterans, according to a study published in the Journal of American Medical Association. The same study found that veterans are more likely to be unemployed, homeless and have substance abuse problems.
Veterans also have higher rates of incarceration than peers without military service. This can make it difficult for them to access mental health care because many states do not allow people with felony records into treatment programs (though some do). In addition, many veterans who receive treatment face challenges accessing services because they lack insurance coverage or other resources such as transportation costs from their home state back into another state where they live now
Asian Americans and mental health disparities.
The mental health care system is complex and not always accessible to all segments of the population. Many factors contribute to this lack of access, including:
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Lack of knowledge about symptoms and treatment options by providers
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Difficulty accessing mental health services due to geographic barriers or language barriers
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Stigma and discrimination impacting how people feel they can ask for help from their provider
Lack of availability of mental health care clinics with culturally diverse staff.
The lack of availability of mental health care clinics with culturally diverse staff is another major problem impacting people’s ability to receive adequate treatment. The majority of mental health providers are often white, male individuals who may not understand or be sensitive to the needs of ethnic minorities. A lack of cultural competence also affects how well a patient is served by their provider; this can lead to mistrust and poor outcomes in therapy sessions.
It’s important that all providers be trained in cultural competency before they begin working with patients from different backgrounds and cultures (and it’s equally important that they stay current).
Disparities in treatment for substance abuse issues.
Stigma against people of color is a major factor in the disparities in substance abuse treatment. In fact, studies have shown that African Americans are more likely to be arrested for drug use than whites and Latinos. Additionally, research shows that people with mental health disorders are more likely to be unemployed than those without mental illness. This can make it difficult for them to get jobs and access needed services through institutions such as hospitals or clinics.
Additionally, there are many cultural factors at play when it comes to seeking treatment for substance abuse issues among ethnic minorities. For example:
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There aren’t enough staff members who speak Spanish at these facilities; therefore patients may not understand what’s being said about them during their intake process (which could lead them away from treatment).
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Treatment centers should consider hiring bilingual therapists who can help patients navigate this process better by providing culturally sensitive care while also ensuring they understand what they’re saying while they undergo assessments like urine tests or urine screens
Access to care for undocumented immigrants.
In the United States, undocumented immigrants are often afraid to seek mental health care because they fear that they will be deported by their doctor. The fear of deportation can prevent people from seeking help and it also increases their risk of suicide. Many undocumented immigrants do not have access to primary care doctors and are forced to rely on emergency rooms or walk-in clinics for basic health services like checkups or vaccinations.
The lack of access to mental health care may be one reason why suicide rates among this population are higher than those in other populations—as high as 40 percent greater than the national average (1).
Poor working conditions can exacerbate mental health problems.
A key factor in mental health is the environment in which we live. The quality of our working conditions can have a significant impact on our overall well-being and how we deal with stress.
For example, if you’re working at a job where you have to spend long hours sitting at a computer, that could lead to increased levels of stress, which could then contribute to negative emotions like anger or anxiety. This pattern can repeat itself over time as these emotions build up inside of us until they become overwhelming—and this is when people start feeling hopeless about their situation and may find themselves depressed or even suicidal (more on this later).
It’s important for employers not only understand these patterns but also take steps toward addressing them before they escalate into serious problems like depression or suicide attempts.”
Mental illness and incarceration.
Mental illness is the leading cause of disability in the U.S., but it’s also one of the most neglected areas when it comes to social policy and legislation.
Incarceration rates for people with mental illness are higher than those without a mental illness—approximately 50 percent more likely to be arrested or incarcerated, according to a 2016 report from The Treatment Advocacy Center (TAC). The criminalization of individuals with untreated or poorly treated mental illness contributes greatly to this disparity, as does their inability to access appropriate treatment.
People diagnosed with severe anxiety disorders are nearly five times more likely than other individuals without such diagnoses to be arrested; those diagnosed with bipolar disorder three times more likely; schizophrenia patients two times more likely; post-traumatic stress disorder patients 1.7 times more likely
To solve mental health disparities, we first have to understand them.
To solve mental health disparities, we first have to understand them. It’s important to know that this is a complex problem and there are many factors involved. We need to understand the underlying causes of the problem in order for us to make progress on it.
Conclusion
Understanding the mental health disparities that exist in our country is the first step to solving them. We must acknowledge that people of color, women, veterans and immigrants face additional challenges when it comes to receiving treatment for mental illness. It’s also clear that this problem is not only a racial issue—it affects all Americans and requires us as a society to address its root causes: discrimination against those who are different from ourselves.
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