Page 7 - Staying Well and Feeling Good - Q4 2021

The Mentality Around Mental Health
Growing up in a Hispanic household, mental health wasn’t something we discussed or prioritized. I was expected to “tough it out” and just deal with my issues or problems on my own. Unlike going to the doctor for a physical ailment, getting help for mental health wasn’t an option.
In fact, mental health treatment was viewed as something for “gente que son loco” (people who are crazy). Honestly, a lot of people in my family dismissed mental health professionals altogether.
Similarly, my husband — who is African American — also grew up with a negative perception of seeking help for mental health. Apparently, it wasn’t something his family talked about either. He was taught that he just needed to “Man up” whenever he encountered a difficulty or challenge.
As we’ve gotten older (and hopefully wiser), we’ve both realized that mental health matters! It’s an important part of your overall health that needs to be taken care of. Most importantly, there’s no shame in seeking and getting help — that’s what we’ll be teaching our daughter.
Let’s Talk Facts
In many minority groups, there’s still a stigma around talking about mental health. On top of that, inequalities in mental health care in minority communities make things more difficult. According to The Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, racial and ethnic minority groups in the U.S. are:
• Less likely to have access to mental health services
• Less likely to use community mental health services
• More likely to use emergency departments
• More likely to receive lower quality care
Poor mental health care access and quality
of care contribute to poor mental health outcomes, including suicide, among racial and ethnic minority populations.
It’s time to start breaking down these barriers, especially in minority communities. Let’s start with some mental health myth busting.
Myth: Mental health problems don’t affect me.
Fact: Mental health problems are actually very common and can affect anyone. About one of every five people will experience a mental health condition in a given year. These include anxiety, depression, and bipolar disorder. While some illnesses have a genetic risk, mental illness affects people of all ages, races, and income levels, whether or not there is a family history.
Myth: A person is either mentally healthy or mentally ill.
Fact: A person who is generally mentally healthy may experience emotional problems, changes in behavior, or have strained and unhealthy relationships with others. A person who is diagnosed with a mental illness may experience moments of clarity and be highly functional. The presence of illness does not always impede upon one’s ability to live a meaningful and fulfilling life.
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