Culturally competent care and community support enhance minority mental wellness

Black, Indigenous and People of Color (BIPOC) communities faces significant and unique mental health struggles. Providers must make conscious efforts to educate themselves and meet the needs of their patients. As a society, we must also continue to raise awareness and take action to break the silence and stigma of mental health issues surrounding minority communities.

A recent survey shows just how deep these disparities are:

• BIPOC individuals experience more racism and discrimination that directly impacts their mental well-being.
• BIPOC individuals are more likely to struggle with addiction, sometimes leading to overdose or death.
• BIPOC individuals are more likely to be underdiagnosed for mental illness because they are less likely to report their struggles due to cultural stigmas as well as lack of access to resources.

For these reasons, the need for culturally competent care and community support are essential to enhance the well-being of all minority groups.

Providing culturally competent care

Culturally competent care involves understanding and respecting each patient’s cultural background, beliefs and values. The ability to provide this kind of care to members of minority groups is essential in giving them the space to be heard, understood and respected. In turn, it can help build trust, bolster communication, bridge the gaps in mental health treatments that exist for BIPOC communities, and provide a more holistic and tailored treatment that aligns with the patient’s cultural and personal values.

Mental health professionals can focus on these areas to provide culturally competent care.

1. Education and training: Continuously educate yourself on cultural competence and seek training in cultural awareness, sensitivity and humility to better understand the cultural backgrounds of your clients.
2. Self-awareness: Engage in self-reflection to understand your own cultural biases and how these may affect your practice. This includes recognizing personal prejudices and actively working to mitigate the impact on client interactions.
3. Cultural assessments: Incorporate cultural assessments into clinical practice to better understand a client’s cultural background, including the beliefs, values and practices that impact how they approach their health and mental health.
4. Language services: Provide access to interpreter services or bilingual providers to ensure clear and accurate communication, especially for clients who are not fluent in the primary language you use.
5. Culturally adapted interventions: Modify therapeutic interventions to be culturally appropriate and effective. This might involve integrating cultural practices, beliefs or symbols that are meaningful to the client.

Taking these steps can enhance treatment and support the well-being of diverse populations, leading to more effective and respectful mental health care delivery.

Cultivating conversations and crafting community support

A community that provides space for minority members to feel comfortable, vulnerable and supported is important and does not always center around professional care. Having a network where open conversations are encouraged and concerns are listened to and addressed can give BIPOC community members the foundation and resources to open up and work through their unique struggles.

Communities and individuals can take small, but mighty, steps to ensure BIPOC community members feel safe and heard.

1. Talk about it: Spreading awareness through conversations can provide support and let others know they aren’t alone in their struggles. Speaking about your individual experiences can encourage your family and peers to do the same and seek out support.
2. Community building: Communities and their members are influenced by contributing factors, such as environments, homes, schools, community centers, grocery stores and more, that affect each person’s ability to navigate the world differently. Find ways you can promote change and growth in your community by volunteering, supporting local businesses owned by people of color and collaborating with other community organizations. The more interconnected your community is, the better equipped it is to meet everyone’s needs.
3. Policy and advocacy: Advocate for policies that support the efforts of mental health care accessibility and funding initiatives which improve social aspects that influence health and wellness and focus on workforce diversity, inclusion and health equity. Educating yourself and getting involved in your local government, participating in town halls, and speaking with community leaders and elected officials are ways to push for positive change.
4. Caring for yourself: It’s also important to cultivate essential self-care techniques to assist in maintaining your mental well-being. This can include building a regular routine for yourself or doing specific tasks that bring you a sense of peace, such as cleaning, cooking, exercising, participating in hobbies or spending time with others.

BIPOC individuals interact with the mental health care system in ways unique to their specific identities, and historically those experiences have been non-affirming of their identities and dismissive of their experiences. Health care professionals and community members must champion advocacy and healing efforts to improve the mental health and wellness of minority groups and their members.

To find meaningful support to assist in your and others mental health care journeys, explore the following resources and toolkits:

• The Steve Fund
• Black Emotional and Mental Health Collective
• Mental Health America
• National Alliance on Mental Illness