I had no idea that this was National Minority Mental Health month. First of all, thanks NJQT466 for posting such an thought provoking thread. Mental health is an issue well worth discussing and especially how it effects us all. This issue is a hot topic where I live. A number of mentally ill persons have died over the past year and a half and all happened while encountering law enforcement. In addition, all deaths happened after families contacted local authorities. For example, three Black males, one Hispanic male, one White female, two White males and one Asian male were shot, tasered, or committed suicide after law enforcement intervened. In the majority of these cases law enforcement personnel admitted that they had limited experience in how to properly deal with the mentally ill.
I cannot speak for the rest of the U.S., but Texas ranks almost last in the care of the mentally ill. The majority of those who finally go in for treatment are either incorrectly diagnosed or received little to no care. A number of them were even dumped out on the street after maybe being hospitalized for 30 day, given a prescription for medication, and a couple of follow up appointments.
This month is just a way of bringing attention to the problem of mental health care for minorities. Even though mental health crosses all lines, there are documented discrepancies when comparing access to mental health care among different ethnic groups. This issue becomes more difficult due to economics, attitudes among ethnic groups, plus sexism, discrimination due to sexual orientation, and racism in health care.
Black, Hispanic, and Asian communities have a long standing distrust of the health care system and many time will rely on faith based organizations or friends and family to combat mental illness. In addition, many of our poor, no matter the ethnic background, are left with little to no help with mental health issues.
NJQT466 was correct that mental illness is still a taboo subject in the Black community. However, it seems that some of the subsequent posts assumed that she was try to make this a Black's only issue. That's is not true. She just happened to reach from her own experience. Hopefully this act will encourage more to share their own experiences soon.
If possible, could we please the topic? I personally do not have a mental illness but I have had some friends and family that do. I would like to get more information so I may get a greater understanding of this issue and possibly help someone I love. Thanks.