LITTLE ROCK (KATV) — Mental health remains an important topic across the country, but this month professionals are speaking on the importance of addressing mental health among minorities.
While recognizing mental health in everyone is important, statistically minorities have been found to less likely address the topic head on, which is a growing issue within communities
“There’s several issues regarding mental health and minorities. Of course everyone can benefit from mental health services, right?” said Christina Hopson Allen of Arkansas Relationship Counseling Center
According to Mental Health America, mental illness within minorities has drastically increased over the last few years and is not always handled properly.
This is due to limited access to counseling, only seeing PCPs for issues, stigmas, and more.
“The stigma is ‘I’m not crazy.’ and there’s the thought that if you’re telling me I need mental health services then there’s something wrong with me and that’s not necessarily the case,” continued Christina Hopson Allen.
“I encourage people, just like you would go to the doctor for health, physical health, you should go to a mental health provider for your mental health. It’s just wellness, maintenance, things of that nature. So don’t limit yourself because of maybe a lack of knowledge. Get the knowledge.”
Unaddressed mental health issues can lead to stress, eventually appearing as isolation, irritability, and obsession to name a few.
These issues can lead to complications with relationships, work life, and even physical health.
But there are ways to counteract it.
“Prevention would be, ‘I’m feeling stressed. What are things that I can start to do when I’m feeling stressed that can prevent things from going south?’ So maybe that is bubble baths. Maybe that is going for walks. Maybe that is music. You know what are the things you’re doing to prevent yourself from getting over stressed. Then there’s the intervention. The intervention would be finding a therapist, finding a psychiatrist, finding somebody that you can talk to and go to and process these issues. And then finally maintenance.”
With the CDC reporting a climb in minority suicides since 2018, more specifically in African Americans with an increase of over 19 percent and the Latinx community with 6 percent, there’s no better time to tackle the issue than now.
“Sometimes we’re afraid. Sometimes were intimidated, but it’s important that we look past the things that are holding us back and look forward to the things that will help us in the future.”
Though July might be Minority Mental Health Awareness Month, it important to take a stand in addressing the issue all year around.