The Importance Of Diverse Mental Health Providers For Minorities And People Of Color
While having access to mental health care can be seen as a basic human right, not everyone receives the same level of support within today's mental health system. For minorities and people of color especially, there can be additional barriers to health care, including systemic inequities and a lack of representation among health care providers. This article explores how a diverse workforce in the mental health sector can impact patient care, creating a more inclusive and culturally competent system.
Why representation in mental health care and therapy matters
Representation in mental health settings can show people that they are seen, safe, and understood. Research suggests that patients are more satisfied with care from a physician of the same race. Since minority individuals may be more engaged in treatment interventions with a physician of the same race, having a diverse mental health field can be beneficial. For many individuals, speaking to a provider who understands their cultural background and experiences can help them be open and honest during therapy sessions.
Demographic disparities among current mental health providers
Each year, the U.S. becomes more racially and ethnically diverse. However, this isn’t always reflected in the mental health workforce and medical field. A cross-sectional study from 2019 suggests that Black, Hispanic, and Native American people are underrepresented among the health care workforce – from primary care physicians to registered nurses.
Gaps in diversity among mental health providers
When it comes to mental health care, it can be important for minorities and people of color to have access to compassionate social workers, counselors, and therapists. During sessions with these mental health professionals, individuals can foster relationships, reduce mental health symptoms, and cultivate resilience. Research from 2019 found that 70% of social workers and 88% of counselors were white. These gaps in diversity can make it difficult for minority individuals to access social workers and counselors with shared backgrounds, cultures, and experiences.
How representation can impact treatment success
When patients sense they are understood during therapy sessions, they may be more engaged in treatment, which can lead to improved outcomes. While more research is needed to show the impact of representation on treatment success, some research suggests that patients who share a race with their health care provider have better communication, health outcomes, and perceptions of care.
Knowing you are understood during treatment
A significant part of the therapeutic process is being open and honest with one’s therapist. When a positive therapeutic relationship is formed, the benefits can be long-lasting. During treatment interventions, if a strong therapeutic relationship is formed, patients typically report an improvement in health, relationships, and quality of life. By approaching patients with compassion, empathy, and nuanced understanding, mental health providers can create a positive therapeutic relationship. A shared cultural background can support this compassionate approach.
Mental health challenges for people of color
Anyone can experience mental health challenges. However, people of color may be more susceptible to certain mental health symptoms. In the United States, Black adults may experience more persistent feelings of sadness than White adults. This emotional distress can make everyday life more challenging, and it may contribute to the development of mental health disorders like depression.
Emotional distress can be a consequence of the stigma and discrimination still present in society today. A few examples of stigma and discrimination may include lower pay, fewer opportunities in the workforce, and microaggressions in educational settings. For many minority individuals, discrimination continues to be prevalent in various aspects of everyday life.
Common challenges for people of color
For many individuals around the world, including some minorities and people of color, mental illness may be seen as a sign of weakness. In some minority populations, depending on their cultural backgrounds and personal beliefs, individuals may choose to ignore mental health symptoms when they arise rather than seek treatment.
This perspective may be harmful, however, as research suggests minorities may be at risk for the following:
- American Indians may be at higher risk of developing post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and substance use disorder.
- Black individuals may be more susceptible to schizophrenia.
- Native Americans may experience more mental health challenges than the general U.S. population.
- LGBTQIA+ individuals are generally more than twice as likely as cisgender and heterosexual individuals to have a mental health disorder in their lifetime.
- Nearly 65% of African American youth report going through traumatic experiences, putting them at risk of developing PTSD.
The connection between culture and mental health
Cultural identity, which generally refers to a person’s sense of belonging to a certain group – often shaped by their beliefs, values, and behaviors – frequently plays a role in how people understand, express, and seek treatment for symptoms of mental illness. As highlighted earlier, in comparison to the general population, mental health stigma tends to be higher among ethnic minorities.
In order for therapy to be successful, therapists and clients usually need to work together to understand the client’s experiences and develop impactful solutions. This therapeutic relationship requires trust, connection, and teamwork. Therefore, negative perceptions around mental health care can hinder the therapy process.
Cultural barriers to health care
For some individuals, traditional beliefs or internalized stigma may discourage them from approaching health care providers, even when they are going through difficult times. Language barriers may also be a challenge. Since minorities are underrepresented in the current health care landscape, patients may fear being misunderstood or judged by their health care providers. Without culturally competent care, patients may not receive the holistic care they need and deserve.
Increasing diversity in health care
Along with creating inclusive hiring practices, addressing disparities in health care requires a system where minority health care providers receive ongoing education, training, and support. This section discusses some ways to increase diversity in the mental health workforce.
Education, recruitment, and support
A diverse workforce may improve health care outcomes in minority communities. Some intentional, multi-level strategies to increase diversity include the following:
- Inclusive hiring practices that actively consider people with different skills, traits, and backgrounds
- Mentorship programs to connect minorities and people of color with mental health professionals who can offer knowledge, support, and understanding
- Skills training to ensure therapists are equipped to address various personal and cultural needs
- Partnerships with organizations like Lyra Health that focus on providing diverse, equitable, and inclusive care
- Expanded access to degree programs for underrepresented individuals, providing financial aid, grants, and scholarships to support them through school
Accessing equitable health care online
As digital health care continues to expand, greater numbers of diverse professionals are offering mental health services online. Through platforms like BetterHelp, people in underserved communities can connect with therapists who understand them. Online platforms can also remove common barriers to care, including cost, transportation, and an inability to find a qualified therapist in one’s local area, making therapy more equitable. With a large network of health care providers from which to choose, minorities and people of color can access therapy that suits their specific schedules, circumstances, and preferences.
Effectiveness of online therapy for minorities
Research shows that internet-delivered mental health care may be a first step to reducing disparities in care. Online health care interventions can effectively reduce mental health symptoms – including those associated with depression and bipolar disorder – among various individuals, including minorities. Online therapy may be a viable option for individuals from different cultures, with different financial means, and of different religious backgrounds.
Takeaway
Why is diversity important in mental health care?
Research suggests that culturally competent mental health care that’s tailored to the individual can be more effective. Having diverse mental health professionals with diverse backgrounds and experiences means that people of diverse backgrounds and experiences may be likelier to receive care from someone who understands them. In this case, “diversity” can refer to racial diversity, diversity in terms of gender identity and sexual orientation, in terms of neurodiversity, in terms of disability status, in terms of socioeconomic status, or many other factors.
How can positive mental health be promoted across diverse cultures?
One way to promote positive mental health across diverse cultures—particularly among marginalized communities and racial groups—is through diverse workforce development. It can be of paramount importance to ensure that there are clinicians from currently underrepresented backgrounds available to treat diverse clients.
How can psychologists be effective when working with people with different identities to their own?
Psychologists and other mental and behavioral health providers in the psychology workforce can rely on cultural competence training. This type of specific education can equip providers to be informed and affirming of individuals with diverse identities, whether they receive this training as part of their master's degree or a fellowship program or outside of higher education.
Why is it important for a health care provider to be culturally competent?
As a wealth of research suggests, culturally competent care can be more effective in promoting positive outcomes among diverse clients who are experiencing mental health conditions or emotional challenges. This type of care can increase the chances that a person will feel heard, understood, and accepted, which can improve mental health outcomes.
How is mental health viewed in the Black community?
People who are members of the Black community face higher rates of mental health conditions due to lived experiences of discrimination and marginalization and historical trauma. In addition, due to widespread experiences of discrimination within the healthcare system, many Black individuals have come to mistrust healthcare providers, which may make them less likely to seek care. Instead, some individuals may turn to faith leaders or community support.
How are mental health and mental illness perceived by different ethnic groups?
Mental health and mental illness can be perceived in vastly different ways by different ethnic groups. While cultural values and traditions may play a role in someone's perspective on mental well-being, many other factors may as well, such as religion, country of origin, language, socioeconomic status, and individual lived experiences.
What are the cultural barriers to healthcare for African Americans?
One example of a cultural barrier to healthcare for Black Americans is mistrust of the healthcare system. This mistrust is deeply rooted in a long history of discrimination, violence, and abuse toward Black people by the mainstream US healthcare system.
Why are minorities less likely to use mental health services?
One reason people from marginalized backgrounds may be less likely to use mental health services is that many providers are not trained in how to offer culturally competent care, resulting in clients feeling isolated and misunderstood or even judged. Another common reason is financial barriers. Diversity matters in mental health care, but career pathways that lead to a living wage or competitive pay are often limited for those in marginalized communities. Due to this kind of social economic marginalization, many people in these communities are not able to receive affordable healthcare or healthcare at all.
What are the major reasons why minorities do not seek mental health treatment?
Some common reasons that those of marginalized communities may seek mental health treatment at low rates include:
- A lack of availability of quality, affordable healthcare, particularly due to not having enough financial support or opportunities
- A lack of culturally competent providers who are experienced in treating a broader range of patients
- Mistrust of the healthcare system due to past experiences of discrimination
- Social stigma
How to break the stigma of mental health?
Breaking the stigma around mental health may empower a broad range of people to feel confident in seeking mental health care when needed. Some strategies that may help society work toward this goal include providing affordable, culturally competent, and affirming mental healthcare more widely, reducing mental health stigma portrayed in the media, and providing more education on mental health topics from a young age.
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