Diversity and Mental Health: Addressing Disparities in Access to Care

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From childhood to youth and into adulthood, mental health remains crucial. It affects how we believe and how we behave. It also affects how we handle stress, relate to individuals, and make sound choices. 

Problems with diversity and mental health are far more common in the United States than many individuals assume. According to the United States Department of Health and Human Services, one in five adults in the United States has experienced an issue with their mental health. At the same time, one in every twenty Americans has a significant mental illness, such as schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, or major depression, according to Social Solutions. 

Social Solutions also states, “Today, more than half of adults with mental illness in the U.S. (27 million people) do not receive the mental health treatment they need.” 

How important is data collection and analysis in identifying and addressing disparities in mental health care access?

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Both psychological and physical wellness are integral elements of overall health. As an illustration, depression heightens vulnerability to various physical health problems, notably enduring conditions like diabetes, heart ailments, and strokes. Similarly, long-standing health issues can amplify the chances of developing mental disorders. These are 2023 critical findings of mental health in America, according to The State Of Mental Health In America. 

Data from The State Of Mental Health In America

Psychological disorders rank among the prevailing health conditions in the United States. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, “Over 1 in 5 youth (ages 13-18), either currently or at some point during their life, have had a seriously debilitating mental illness.” 

Utilizing diagnostic interview information from the National Comorbidity Survey Adolescent Supplement (NCS-A), the diagram presented below illustrates the occurrence of any mental disorder at some point in the lives of adolescents aged 13-18 in the United States. 

Graph from the National Institute of Mental Health. 

What common barriers do different demographic groups face when seeking mental health care?

Even as mental health awareness and advocacy gain traction, there are still significant obstacles to overcome. Future’s Recovery Healthcare says, “Lack of awareness, social stigma, cost, and limited access are some of the most prominent factors standing in the way of people pursuing mental health treatment.”

A significant discrepancy exists in the availability of mental health services depending on income levels and geographical location. People residing in rural regions and those with lower incomes are less inclined to report that mental health care is readily accessible to them. The National Council for Mental Wellbeing states, “Compared to middle- and high-income households, low-income Americans are less likely to know where to go for treatment and more likely to use a community center versus a qualified mental health center. Of the Americans that have not sought mental health treatment, more than half, or 53%, were in low-income households.” 

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Dr. Chelze Zamani, PsyD, LMFT Complex Trauma (@Dr.chelzezamani on Instagram) 

In an interview with Dr. Chelze Zamani, a licensed psychotherapist and founder of Forever Caring Mental Health, we discussed disparities in accessing mental health care. 

Within the framework of nationwide endeavors to enhance mental health, it is crucial not just to safeguard and improve the mental wellness of everyone but also to cater to the requirements of individuals grappling with mental health conditions. Dr. Chelze Zamani says, “A lot of people that come from different cultures, as well as people of color, tend not to want to lean into the healthcare system due to a lot of disparities — around racism, discrimination, lack of access to resources, and a lot of hardships, even economically. A lot of us are displaced.”

Younger individuals in the United States require additional knowledge about the methods and locations for obtaining healthcare. A more thorough understanding of the actual expenses associated with providing mental health care and its reimbursement rates is essential, as these rates often only encompass a fraction of the total care expenses. 

“Everyone comes from different walks of life, [which] are going to come with their unique contextual experiences, and it doesn’t make their views right or wrong; it just makes it different,” says Dr. Chelze Zamani.