What Is BIPOC Mental Health Month and Why Does It Matter?
July is BIPOC Mental Health Month, a time to recognize the unique mental health experiences of Black, Indigenous, and People of Color. Previously known as Minority Mental Health Month, this awareness campaign sheds light on the systemic inequities, stigma, and barriers that continue to negatively impact access to care for BIPOC communities.
Why BIPOC Mental Health Matters
Mental health challenges do not discriminate, but the systems designed to address them often do. BIPOC individuals often face barriers that limit access to mental health support, including racism, economic inequality, cultural stigma, and a lack of culturally competent care.
According to the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI), only 37% of Black and 35% of Hispanic adults with mental illness receive treatment, compared to 52% of white adults. Among Asian American and Pacific Islanders, just 25% receive any mental health services, despite over 2.7 million living with a mental or substance use disorder (NAMI).
Mistrust in the healthcare system is rooted in both historical trauma and ongoing discrimination. In a 2023 KFF survey, 55% of Asian adults and 46% of Black adults reported difficulty finding a provider who understood their background, compared to 38% of white adults.
Financial barriers also play a major role. In 2018, Black adults were 1.5 times more likely to be uninsured than white adults; Hispanic adults were 2.5 times more likely, and American Indian and Alaska Native adults were 2.9 times more likely to be uninsured (KFF.org).
Because these systemic failures are often compounded, many BIPOC individuals are forced to manage their mental health challenges alone. Studies show that 43% of Black people and 47% of Hispanic people attempt to handle their mental health without professional support, as compared to 35% of white people.
How Mental Health Stigma Limits Access to Care for Marginalized Communities
Stigma and shame around mental health prevents many marginalized individuals from seeking professional care because they fear the shame and social isolation that may come with it. Whether it’s self-stigma or public stigma, these individuals prolong their own suffering and choose to lead a lower quality of life by not seeking out the help they need.
For example, in some Asian communities, individuals are discouraged from seeking mental health services due to beliefs about avoiding familial shame. Another example is mistrust of the healthcare system in some African American communities due to mistreatment and a lack of culturally competent care.
What is Culturally Competent Care?
Culturally competent care means recognizing, respecting, and integrating each patient's unique cultural background, beliefs, and values into their healthcare experience. Culturally competent care is important because it cultivates awareness of how different cultures influence health behaviors and decisions. From this understanding, health professionals can adapt their care practices to meet patients’ different needs, as health is not a one-size-fits-all approach. This fosters trust, improves communication, and supports more effective, personalized treatment.
Examples of culturally competent care include multilingual resources, respecting religious and spiritual needs, and building rapport with patients.
How Can We Support BIPOC Communities and Their Mental Wellness?
From a professional standpoint, mental health providers can deepen their cultural awareness by undertaking ongoing education and training focused on different cultures and their lived experiences.
As a provider, engaging in regular self-reflection is also key. It’s crucial to examine one’s personal biases, ensuring these biases don’t influence the quality of care provided.
Third, incorporating culturally responsive services, such as language support, culturally adapted therapies, and cultural assessments, can further enhance a provider’s ability to support the unique needs of their clients.
Beyond the clinical setting, community support plays a vital role in mental wellness for BIPOC individuals. Creating safe, inclusive spaces where people feel seen and heard is essential. Advocacy for marginalized and silenced communities can support broader efforts to advance culturally competent care.
By speaking up, we challenge stigma, uplift the underrepresented, and push for meaningful change. Through collective action, education, and allyship, we can influence policy reform, and we can help build a mental health system where BIPOC communities feel supported and empowered.
How The Team at Mae Mental Wellness Can Support You
At Mae Mental Wellness, we are committed to continuous learning and growth so we can provide care that is not only effective, but also culturally responsive and inclusive of each patient’s unique background and lived experience.
To book an appointment at Mae Mental Wellness, you can fill out this form or call (561) 231-0233. Learn more about services we offer and which insurance we accept.
