We Need a More Inclusive Approach to Mental Health Care

Black women have higher rates of maternal mental health complications, including a four times greater chance of experiencing Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) than non-Black mothers. Despite this, they are less likely to seek treatment for post-partum mental health, and less likely to receive follow-up care even when they request it. Data shows that barriers such as cultural stigma, lack of culturally competent care or limited access to care, in general, result in poorer mental health outcomes among members of minority racial and ethnic groups.

I've been open about how mental health care helped me manage the post-partum anxiety I experienced after the birth of my second daughter. I was fortunate to access quality care when I needed it, but not everyone has this experience.

Everyone should have equal access to affordable health care, and this includes mental health services just as much as it does traditional, physical health care. April is #NationalMinorityHealthMonth, an opportunity to shine a light on the factors that prevent members of underrepresented communities from accessing quality care and how we can work together to erode significant barriers.

Barriers to Mental Health Care Severely Impact Minority Health

A CVS Health® and Morning Consult survey found mental health concerns rose substantially for Americans of all backgrounds since the COVID-19 pandemic, and members of minority ethnic and racial groups are among the most impacted. While 59% of total survey respondents reported experiencing heightened concerns about their own mental health or that of friends and family—a 9%-point increase since April 2020—Black Americans saw an 11%-point increase. Additionally, a Center for Disease Control (CDC) report found Hispanic/Latinx individuals experienced depression 59% more frequently than non-Hispanic white adults, and this group of people experienced suicidal thoughts/ideation two to four times as much as other demographic groups.

No one is immune to struggling with their mental health, and members of underrepresented groups experience mental health concerns more often while also experiencing more hurdles to accessing quality professional care than others including:

• Cultural Stigma

Thankfully, mental health conversations are becoming more mainstream. Still, stigma persists, and cultural attitudes towards talking about and seeking treatment for mental health issues can present an additional obstacle for individuals looking to prioritize care. For example, one study found stigmas that associate mental illness with disability are the largest barrier to Asian Americans accessing mental health care.

• Lack of Cultural Competence

Members of underrepresented populations who overcome cultural stigma to seek mental health care might struggle to find a mental health professional that relates to their experience and background or that speaks their language. Despite the racial and ethnic diversity of our communities, only 17% of psychologists are from underrepresented groups. A systemic lack of cultural competence, an awareness of how beliefs and values differ amongst cultures, might make it difficult for members of certain communities to feel comfortable discussing their mental health in a clinical setting. It also increases the odds that they'll be dismissed or misdiagnosed. Historically, for example, Black men have received psychiatric diagnoses that are incorrect, especially severe, or less treatable than other patient populations.

Raising Awareness. Expanding Access. Improving Outcomes. 

National Minority Health Month is an opportunity to acknowledge the obstacles that keep members of underrepresented groups from quality care so that we can break them down. While just the beginning, this transparency is a good place to start. Transparent conversations on mental health can help raise awareness of affordable ways to access treatment and remove power from stigmas that criticize mental illness. CVS Health and Morning Consult data illustrates how conversation can lead to action. This research found that more than half (53%) of Americans agree that hearing about others' challenges makes them more comfortable seeking resources and care for themselves.

Once the conversation has opened, it's important to then ensure all groups have access to educational resources and the care they need. Education leads to understanding that a person's struggle with mental illness is not in isolation. Instead, they can connect with others and get the most from resources like community support or sessions with mental health professionals. Those struggling with their mental health can find support in the form of screenings and counseling from a licensed therapist at select CVS MinuteClinic® locations.

Education on mental health is key, not just for those experiencing mental illness and their loved ones, but for clinicians looking to connect with and help patients who are members of underrepresented populations. That's part of why CVS Health created the Community Equity Alliance—an initiative that aims to address barriers to care in underserved communities, help make healthcare more accessible and decrease health disparities—in collaboration with Meharry Medical College, Sinai Chicago and Wayne State University, which will, among other efforts, gather and share data with CVS Health on local community needs. As part of our Community Equity Alliance partnership with Wayne State University, we're working with their Center for Health Equity and Community Knowledge in Urban Populations (CHECK-UP), which aims to improve Detroit residents' mental and heart health by aligning community assets and resources. This involves training faculty, staff and community members on best practices.

Laying the Groundwork for a More Even Playing Field

Our mental and emotional well-being influences virtually all aspects of our lives, including our sleep, eating habits, job performance and the quality of our interactions with friends and family.  We need to think about our mental health as we would our physical health and increase access for those in need, which is part of the reason why mental health is a core pillar of CVS Health's health equity strategy, aiming to take bold action to address health disparities among various populations.

This National Minority Health Month and beyond, conversations about health equity should not ignore the integral role mental health plays in overall well-being. Prioritizing education and expanding access to care is a foundational step to supporting mental health equality in other areas.