Black and Hispanic adults are less likely than white adults to report that they’ve been given mental health help even after mental health struggles, according to KFF.
The findings, announced in a press release, came from an analysis of the KFF’s 2023 Survey of Racism, Discrimination and Health. Based on a nationwide survey that included responses from 6,000 adults, the report highlighted disparities in the U.S. healthcare system.
Amongst the adults who reported poor mental health, only 39% of Black adults and 36% of Hispanic adults in the U.S. were able to seek and obtain proper mental health care in the past three years; in comparison, 50% of white adults in the U.S. were able to find a health caretaker to help with mental health issues.
In the same report, multiple Black participants reported that they had difficulty finding a provider that they were able to connect with to deal with their mental health issues; overall, 46% of Black adults said that they were unable to find someone who could understand their experiences.
With the latest findings, KFF researchers are hoping to provide facts to spur changes to the mental health care system that will address issues in the field.
Drawing on our survey of Racism, Discrimination, and Health, our analysis shows that Black, Hispanic and Asian adults disproportionately report experiencing challenges when accessing mental health care.
— KFF (@KFF) May 24, 2024
View the data: https://t.co/jCNgYq2rUu
“These findings also point to areas of focus that may help address barriers to mental health care, such as diversifying the mental health care workforce and enhancing knowledge of culturally competent care among mental health care providers,” said the KFF. “Additionally, focused outreach and education efforts among specific communities may address awareness of mental health resources and stigma associated with mental health care.”
Previous research has found that, overall, only one in three Black Americans receive mental health services despite having serious mental health issues at a rate that’s 20% more than white adults.
Declared a “serious threat to public health” by the CDC, racism has been identified as a key contributor to mental health issues amongst Black adults. Through attacks and stressors stemming from racism, Black adults are often forced to deal with racial trauma that often turns into mental health issues like PTSD.
PTSD has already been highlighted as a major mental health issue amongst Black American adults with 8.7% of Black adults reporting they struggle with the disease. The development of PTSD has been found to begin at an earlier age as well with 65% of Black youth reporting that they’ve been subjected to traumatic experiences.
A variety of Black-led organizations are available to provide relief from mental health issues. Nonprofits include Therapy for Black Girls, Black Men Heal, National Black HEALth and the Black Health Alliance.
