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DURHAM, N.C. — Each July, National Minority Mental Health Awareness Month is recognized. It brings awareness to the struggles that many racial and ethnic minority communities face with regard to mental illness in the country.
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services said racial and ethnic minorities often suffer poor mental health outcomes due to factors like lack of access to quality mental health care services, cultural stigma surrounding mental health care and discrimination. They also said, in 2021, it’s estimated only 39% of Black or African American adults, 25% of Asian adults and 36% of Hispanic and Latino adults with any mental illness were treated.
America Allen, a clinical social worker and therapist, said she sees clients often suffering from racial trauma, anxiety and depression. While her clients are going through all of this, she wants to be a representation for them and encourage them.
“It is important that we are understanding that our communities are suffering from poor mental health outcomes,” Allen said. “They are experiencing this due to racism, due to their multiple intersections, because of the stigma surrounding mental health care and just overall lack of awareness within the community,” Allen said.
Allen specializes in helping Black and brown women address trauma, anxiety and depression through her private practice called SuNu Healing Collectively. She said it’s helpful that she can relate to them and share similar experiences.
“I am a representation. I also am human; I also experience concerns around mental health. I mean who doesn’t. And so, it’s important for me that I am always letting them know that we don’t have to be perfect,” Allen said.
Allen said she would love to see more culturally responsive treatment for Black and brown women struggling. She said this includes understanding how their identities are impacting their mental health, understanding societal pressures and understanding racism.
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