--- title: Cultural Mental Healthcare Disparities description: There are large disparities in mental healthcare across races and ethnicities in the U.S. image: https://blog.diversitynursing.com/hubfs/Getty%20Images/GettyImages-1308910334.jpg --- ![](https://blog.diversitynursing.com/hubfs/Getty%20Images/GettyImages-1308910334.jpg) ### Cultural Mental Healthcare Disparities *Posted By* Erica Bettencourt Wed, Feb 02, 2022 @ 11:39 AM - - - ![GettyImages-1308910334](https://blog.diversitynursing.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Getty%20Images/GettyImages-1308910334.jpg?width=2190&name=GettyImages-1308910334.jpg)There are large disparities in mental healthcare across races and ethnicities in the U.S. Many factors contribute to the poor mental health outcomes of minority populations. Such as: - Inaccessible mental healthcare services - Transportation issues, difficulty finding childcare/taking time off work - Lacking health insurance coverage - Cultural stigma regarding mental healthcare - The lack of Black, Indigenous, and people of color (BIPOC) healthcare professionals - Racism, bias, and discrimination in healthcare - Language barriers African Americans develop mental health conditions at a similar [rate](https://www.psychiatry.org/psychiatrists/cultural-competency/education/african-american-patients) as the general population however, they are less likely to seek care.  [Statistics](https://www.mcleanhospital.org/essential/how-can-we-break-mental-health-barriers-communities-color) tell us that about 25% of African Americans seek mental health care, compared to 40% of whites. Only 1 in 3 Black adults who need mental health care receive it, according to the American Psychiatric Association’s (APA) [Mental Health Facts for African Americans](https://www.psychiatry.org/psychiatrists/cultural-competency/education/african-american-patients) guide.  [Research](https://www.psychiatry.org/psychiatrists/cultural-competency/education/mental-health-facts) shows American Indian/Alaska Native populations have disproportionately higher rates of mental health problems than the general population. The overall death rate from suicide for American Indian/Alaska Native adults is about [20%](https://minorityhealth.hhs.gov/omh/browse.aspx?lvl=4&lvlid=39#1) higher compared to the non-Hispanic white population. In 2019, suicide was the [second leading](https://minorityhealth.hhs.gov/omh/browse.aspx?lvl=4&lvlid=39#1) cause of death for American Indian/Alaska Natives between the ages of 10 and 34.  According to [Mental Health America](https://www.mhanational.org/issues/asian-americanpacific-islander-communities-and-mental-health) (MHA), Asian American and Pacific Islanders (AAPI) are the least likely racial group in the U.S. to seek mental health services. Findings from the National Latino and Asian American Study also found that [17.3%](https://www.apa.org/pi/oema/resources/ethnicity-health/asian-american/article-mental-health) of Asian Americans will be diagnosed with a psychiatric condition at some point in their lifetime. The APA [Mental Health Facts for Hispanics and Latinos/as](https://www.psychiatry.org/psychiatrists/cultural-competency/education/mental-health-facts) guide reported Hispanics are at lower risk of most psychiatric disorders compared with non-Hispanic whites. Also Hispanics are more likely to report poor communication with their health provider. Several studies have found that bilingual patients are evaluated differently when interviewed in English as opposed to Spanish and that Hispanics are more frequently undertreated. It will take enormous effort to reduce disparities in the U.S. In order to achieve mental health equity we must improve access, hire more multicultural providers, offer better insurance coverage, and provide education surrounding stigma and misconceptions. ## Resources [African American Mental Health Providers](http://aamhp.com/) [Black Emotional and Mental Health Collective](https://www.beam.community/) [Inclusive Therapists](https://www.inclusivetherapists.com/https:/www.inclusivetherapists.com/) [Therapy for Black Men](https://therapyforblackmen.org/therapists/) [The National Asian American Pacific Islander Mental Health Association](https://www.naapimha.org/aanhpi-service-providers) [Find an Asian Therapist](https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/therapists/asian) [Center for Traditional Medicine](https://www.cwis.org/center-for-traditional-medicine/people/) [One Sky Center](http://www.oneskycenter.org/) [Indian Health Service](https://www.ihs.gov/communityhealth/behavioralhealth/) [American Society of Hispanic Psychiatry](https://www.americansocietyhispanicpsychiatry.com/) [Therapy for LatinX](https://www.therapyforlatinx.com/) [The National Alliance for Hispanic Health](https://www.healthyamericas.org/) [SAMHSA’s National Helpline](https://www.samhsa.gov/find-help/national-helpline) [National Institute of Mental Health brochures and fact sheets](https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/publications) ## Podcasts [Homecoming Podcast ](https://drthema.com/) [All My Relations Podcast](https://www.allmyrelationspodcast.com/) [The Melanated Social Work Podcast](https://melanatedsocialwork.buzzsprout.com/) [Between Sessions Podcast](https://www.melaninandmentalhealth.com/category/between-sessions/) [The Full Well Podcast](https://www.fullwelltherapy.com/thefullwell) [MannMukti: Mental Health Podcast](https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/mannmukti-mental-health-podcast/id1230819620) [Asian Mental & Emotional Health Podcasts](https://www.podchaser.com/lists/asian-mental--emotional-health-podcasts-107a4UJrXO) [Latinx Therapy Podcast](https://latinxtherapy.com/podcast/) [The Latinx Mental Health Podcast](https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-latinx-mental-health-podcast/id1453357829) Topics : - [mental health](https://blog.diversitynursing.com/blog/topic/mental-health) - [minority mental health](https://blog.diversitynursing.com/blog/topic/minority-mental-health) - [cultural mental health disparities](https://blog.diversitynursing.com/blog/topic/cultural-mental-health-disparities) - [mental health disparities](https://blog.diversitynursing.com/blog/topic/mental-health-disparities) ### Recent Posts [![](https://blog.diversitynursing.com/hubfs/GettyImages-1428257600.jpg) ##### Advancing Mental Health Equity for Every Community Thu, Jul 02, 2026 @ 09:34 AM Every July, the United States observes National Minority Mental Health Month, a time dedicated to raising awareness about the unique mental health challenges experienced by racial and ethnic minority... 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