July is Minority Mental Health Awareness Month, a time dedicated to recognizing the mental health needs and challenges of underrepresented communities. As a therapist and the owner of a practice serving diverse clients, I want to shed light on why culturally competent care is so important in mental health – and what it means for you or someone you care about.
Understanding the Gap: Research shows that racial and ethnic minorities in the U.S. are less likely to access mental health services, and when they do, they often receive poorer quality care. For instance, among adults with mental illness, about half of white Americans get treatment, compared to only about one-third of Black and Hispanic Americans. Several factors contribute to this gap: lack of insurance or resources, mental health stigma in some cultures, and a shortage of minority mental health professionals who look like or truly understand the background of those they serve.
Why Culture Matters in Therapy: Culture shapes how we express feelings, whom we turn to in times of need, and how we view mental health and healing. For example, in some cultures, depression might be described as “aches and pains” rather than sadness, due to stigma around emotional talk. In others, family and community are so central that an individual might feel uncomfortable or disloyal discussing family problems with an outside counselor. If a therapist isn’t aware of these nuances, they might misinterpret a client’s symptoms or advice. Culturally competent care means the therapist actively seeks to understand a client’s cultural background, beliefs, and values, and adapts treatment to fit that context. It’s about respect and understanding.
In our practice, we’ve had clients from various backgrounds – African American, Hispanic/Latinx, Hmong, Native American, and more. A big part of our approach is to listen and learn from each client about what matters in their culture. For instance, I’ve worked with clients for whom prayer and faith are a cornerstone of coping; integrating that into their treatment (like encouraging continued faith-based activities or using spiritual metaphors they resonate with) made therapy more effective. I’ve also seen the relief on a client’s face when I acknowledge the reality of racism or discrimination they’ve faced and how that affects their mental health – it’s often a healing moment to have one’s experience validated.
Challenges Minorities Face: Besides the general stressors, minorities often face additional layers of stress – discrimination, microaggressions, immigration or acculturation issues, historical trauma, language barriers…the list goes on. These stressors can contribute to or exacerbate conditions like anxiety, depression, PTSD, and substance use. Unfortunately, when these issues collide with stigma (e.g., the attitude of “therapy is for crazy people” or “we don’t air our dirty laundry to strangers”), many people suffer in silence rather than seek help. As a therapist, part of my role is to educate and gently challenge these stigma beliefs. Mental health care is healthcare – it’s not a luxury or a weakness. If you’re diabetic, you’d see a doctor; if you’re struggling emotionally, it’s equally important to see a mental health professional.
Building Bridges: If you or someone you love is a person of color facing mental health challenges, here are a few tips to find culturally sensitive help:
Look for diverse providers or allies: Sometimes a therapist of your same background can offer an extra layer of understanding. But even if that’s not possible, many therapists (of any ethnicity) are strong allies and have trained in multicultural counseling. Don’t hesitate to ask a potential therapist about their experience with your culture or issue.
Community resources: Organizations like NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Illness) and Mental Health America have specific programs and resource guides for minority mental health. There may also be local support groups (led by peers) that provide a safe space to share experiences specific to your community.
Speak up in therapy: If you are in counseling and something doesn’t feel culturally right (maybe your therapist suggested an approach that conflicts with your values, or they misunderstood something you said that relates to your culture), tell them. A good therapist will appreciate the feedback and use it to adjust their approach. Therapy is collaboration.
Representation matters: Seeing stories and faces like yours can be healing. Follow mental health advocates of color on social media, read memoirs or watch talks by people from your community who have struggled and found help. It helps to know you’re not alone and that healing is possible.
Our Commitment: At A Healing Place, we are continuously educating ourselves on different cultures and how best to serve everyone. We don’t have all the answers, but we approach each client with humility and openness. If we don’t know something about your culture, we’ll ask respectfully. We might say, “Can you tell me more about how your family views this?” or “Help me understand what that [tradition/word/experience] means to you.” This month – and really, every month – we honor the diversity of our clients. You teach us as much as we help you.
Breaking the Stigma: Finally, let’s talk stigma. It’s one of the biggest hurdles in minority communities. To those reading, I urge you: be part of the change. Talk about mental health openly. Share your therapy experiences if you’re comfortable. Normalize it. The more we all do this, the more we chip away at the shame that keeps people from getting care. Mental illness does not discriminate – it can affect anyone, regardless of how you look or where you come from. And likewise, everyone deserves support and healing.
Conclusion: Minority Mental Health Awareness Month is about shining a spotlight on both the disparities and the hope. Yes, there are unique challenges. But there are also more resources than ever and a growing awareness in the field about how to address them. If you’re a person of color struggling, please know that help exists and you have a right to it. Your feelings are valid. Your culture is a source of strength, and a good therapist will help you draw on that strength. You are not alone in your journey.
Let’s continue the conversation – not just in July, but all year round. By doing so, we move toward a world where mental health care is accessible, effective, and respectful for everyone.
If this topic resonates with you or you have questions, feel free to reach out or leave a comment. A Healing Place is here for you.
Blog written by:
Lisa Anderson
Owner of A Healing Place