While mental health awareness has been increasing in our country, the self-care and treatment required for mental illnesses has not been fully realized. The available resources can be difficult to find, but most especially for minorities.
Racial and ethnic minority groups currently account for one-third of the American population. Minorities in the United States are just as likely as non-minorities to experience mental health disorders. But they are far less likely to receive treatment.
Unfortunately, these minority groups are more likely to experience poverty, making the attainability of adequate healthcare more difficult. This could result in a lack of the health insurance needed to lower the cost of treating mental illness.
Other factors that create barriers to receiving mental health care include language, mental health stigma within the minority communities, religion-based biases, distrust in the healthcare system, lack of diversity among mental health providers and lack of cultural competency among providers.
While the disparities between minorities and non-minorities often seem great, resources are available for diverse populations. Whether it’s visiting a website or calling a hotline, there are ways to receive help and treatment, 24/7.
Local Resources in Nevada:
- Nevada 211 has a number of mental health services available, including a list of crisis hotlines, counselors, and more.
- Foundation for Recovery has a comprehensive list of mental health facilities throughout the state.
- National Alliance on Mental Illness Nevada has a list of mental health hotlines, services, and centers, both local and national.
- The Nevada Minority Health Equity Coalition has research on policy and organizations that can promote health care among minorities.
Nationwide Resources:
- The Anxiety and Depression Association of America has information on different mental illnesses, the treatments available for these illnesses, and options specific to minority groups.
- Mental Health America has a wide variety of resources to educate on the topic of mental health, as well as different options for receiving help.
- The American Foundation for Suicide Prevention has a minority mental health resources page, with resources specific to the different minority populations.
If you need financial assistance in order to make healthcare more affordable, Nevada Health Link is here to help. Learn more about our Qualified Health Plans and if you meet the requirements needed to enroll during our Special Enrollment Period.
