Nationally, there are several months that are dedicated to behavioral health observances and July is recognized at Minority Health Awareness Month, or BIPOC Mental Health Month. Mental health conditions do not discriminate and can impact any one individual. But why exactly does behavioral health care need to give special consideration to certain aspects of an individual’s life? According SAMHSA and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services:
- The suicide rate among African American children aged 5 to 11 years has increased substantially since 1993 and is persisting. In 1993 suicide ranked as the 14th leading cause of death among this population. Today it’s the 10th leading cause of death—with rates nearly twice that of their White counterparts.
- In 2017, suicide was the second leading cause of death for African Americans, ages 15 to 24.
- A report from the U.S. Surgeon General found that from 1980 – 1995, the suicide rate among African Americans ages 10 to 14 increased 233 percent, as compared to 120 percent of non-Hispanic whites.
Research from the National Institute of Mental Health’s Collaborative Psychiatric Epidemiology Surveys, a study involving more than 15,000 participants, finds that Mexican Americans and African Americans are among those least likely to receive help for depression. While these percentages may appear to be low in number, because they are particularly paying attention to a small portion of the population, it’s important to take into consideration how much of the general population is comprised of these ethnic groups. For example, in the United States, ethnic minorities make a total of 36.3% of the population. Being an ethnic minority comes with navigating certain stressors that other groups may not necessarily encounter. Stress resulting from discrimination or prejudiced individuals is something that these individuals have to confront on a nearly-daily basis. While many studies have suggested that whites are more likely to suffer from depression than other racial groups, Black individuals and Mexican Americans are both more likely than White counterparts to suffer milder long-term depression. Background can make access to mental health treatment much more difficult. Minorities or immigrant groups may work in jobs that:
- Cause them to work in dangerous, low-wage jobs
- Create situations where they face discrimination and differential treatment
- Puts pressure on the individual to keep working in unsafe conditions
- Don’t provide the opportunity for professional advancement
We have written extensively about minding mental health and treating it properly, before coping mechanisms develop into substance abuse. Top of the World Ranch treats clientele of all kinds, regardless of race, background, or identity. Our mission first and foremost is to help those that we can, and we recognize that different circumstances all contribute to one’s mental health and ability to receive treatment. Tishanna Dillard, Marketing Operations Specialist
If you or someone you know is suffering from addiction, give us a call at the Top of the World Ranch in Milan, Illinois. Come join us at our beautiful ranch. We can be reached at (844) 814-8885, or you can email [email protected]