Juneteenth: Supporting Mental Health Equity Everyday
While the Juneteenth holiday comes just once a year, mental health equity is a year-round cause.
Based on national details gathered by the American Psychological Association (APA), people from racial and ethnic minority groups are less likely to receive mental health care. In 2015, they found that among adults with a mental illness, 48% of white people received mental health services, compared to 31% of Black and Hispanic people and 22% of Asians.
Racial discrimination as well as cultural norms can prevent people from getting quality mental health care. Our cultural upbringings shape our perspectives on mental illness, and in some cultures, mental illness is more stigmatized and may be viewed as a source of shame, rather than a legitimate health concern.
Mental health equity looks like equitable, fair reach to quality mental health care: a vision that can only be achieved through structural changes. By considering the U.S.'s historical background and diverse cultural makeup, we can restructure programs and services that support mental health equity.
As individuals, the process of making structural changes to mental health care can be daunting. But in the spirit of Juneteenth, which was federally recognized 150 years after its conception, we must recognize that important work takes time. While it might feel like your actions are merely a drop in the bucket, investing in your personal wellbeing – and supporting the mental health of others – makes an impact.
