July is Minority Mental Health Awareness Month

Minority Mental Health Awareness Month is not widely known, which is unfortunate and a bit ironic. The month was assaigned to bring awareness to the problem of mental health in minority communities. The lack of information available and the lack of activism between these communities and the mental health community.

July is Minority Mental Health Awareness Month. Here at Embracia we would like to highlight some important facts that you may not have been aware of. For example:

Black/ African Americans

• According to 2019 statistics show that the second leading cause of death for black or African Americans ages 15- 24 is suicide.
• The death rate via suicide amongst black/African Americans men was 4 times greater than for black/African American women in 2018.
• The overall suicide rate for black or African Americans was 60% lower than that of non-hispanic white population in 2018.  
• Black/African American women from grade levels 9-12 were 60% more likely to attempt suicide according to 2019 statistics compared to non-Hispanic white females of the same age group. 
• In 2019, suicide was the second leading cause of death for American Indian/Alaska Natives between the ages of 10 and 34.

American Indian/ Alaska Natives

• The overall death rate from suicide for American Indian/Alaska Native adults is about 20 % higher as compared to the non-Hispanic white population.
• In 2019, adolescent American Indian/Alaska Native females, ages 15-19, had a death rate that was 5 times higher than non-Hispanic white females in the same age group.
• In 2018, American Indian/Alaska Native males, ages 15-24, had a death rate that was twice that of non-Hispanic white males in the same age group.

Asian/ Pacific Islanders

• Suicide was the leading cause of death for Asian/Pacific Islanders, ages 15 to 24, in 2019.¹
• Asian American males, in grades 9-12, were 30% more likely to consider attempting suicide. Compared to non-Hispanic white male students, in 2019.
• In 2018, Asians were 60 percent less likely to have received mental health treatment as compared to non-Hispanic whites.
• Southeast Asian refugees are at risk for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Associated with trauma experienced before and after immigration to the U.S. One study found that 70 percent of Southeast Asian refugees receiving mental health care were diagnosed with PTSD.²
• The overall suicide rate for Asians is less than half that of the non-Hispanic white population.

Hispanics

• The death rate from suicide for Hispanic men was four times the rate for Hispanic women, in 2018.
• In 2019, suicide was the second leading cause of death for Hispanics, ages 15 to 34.¹
• In 2018, Hispanics were 50 percent less likely to have received mental health treatment as compared to non-Hispanic whites.
• Poverty level affects mental health status. Hispanics living below the poverty level, as compared to Hispanics over twice the poverty level, are twice as likely to report serious psychological distress.

For more information about the statistics surrounding Mental health in the diverse demographics of the United States check out this webpage, it is full of verified and backed by studies information.

For more information about the services or any questions or concerns you may have please check out what Embracia Health Clinic offers, follow the link.