Minorities are less likely to receive diagnosis and treatment for their mental illness, have less access to mental health services and often receive a poorer quality of mental health care. 

​

Mental and Behavioral Health - African Americans

​

• Poverty level affects mental health status. African Americans living below the poverty level, as compared to those over twice the poverty level, are twice as likely to report psychological distress.

• In 2017, suicide was the second leading cause of death for African Americans, ages 15 to 24.1

• The death rate from suicide for African American men was more than four times greater than for African American women, in 2017.

• However, the overall suicide rate for African Americans is 60 percent lower than that of the non-Hispanic white population.

• African American females, grades 9-12, were 70 percent more likely to attempt suicide in 2017, as compared to non-Hispanic white females of the same age.

• A report from the U.S. Surgeon General found that from 1980 - 1995, the suicide rate among African Americans ages 10 to 14 increased 233 percent, as compared to 120 percent of non-Hispanic whites.

​

Mental and Behavioral Health - American Indians/Alaska Natives

​

• In 2017, suicide was the second leading cause of death for American Indian/Alaska Natives between the ages of 10 and 34.1

• American Indian/Alaska Natives are twice as likely to experience the feeling that everything is an effort, all or most of the time, as compared to non-Hispanic whites.

• Violent deaths, unintentional injuries, homicide, and suicide, account for 75% of all mortality in the second decade of life for American Indian/Alaska Natives.2

• The overall death rate from suicide for American Indian/Alaska Native adults is about 20 percent higher as compared to the non-Hispanic white population.

• Adolescent American Indian/Alaska Native females, ages 15-19, have a death rate that is three times higher than for non-Hispanic white females in the same age groups.

​

Mental and Behavioral Health - Asian Americans

​

• Suicide was the leading cause of death for Asian Americans, ages 15 to 24, in 2017.1

• Asian American females, in grades 9-12, were 20 percent more likely to attempt suicide as compared to non-Hispanic white female students, in 2017.

• 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% of Southeast Asian refugees receiving mental health care were diagnosed with PTSD.2

• The overall suicide rate for Asians Americans is half that of the non-Hispanic white population.

​

Mental and Behavioral Health - Hispanics

​

• Poverty level affects mental health status. Hispanics living below the poverty level, as compared to Hispanics over twice the poverty level, are over twice as likely to report psychological distress.

• The death rate from suicide for Hispanic men was four times the rate for Hispanic women, in 2017.

• However, the suicide rate for Hispanics is less than half that of the non-Hispanic white population.

• In 2017, suicide was the second leading cause of death for Hispanics, ages 15 to 34.1

• Suicide attempts for Hispanic girls, grades 9-12, were 40 percent higher than for non-Hispanic white girls in the same age group, in 2017.

• Non-Hispanic whites received mental health treatment twice as often as Hispanics, in 2018.

​

Mental and Behavioral Health - LGBT

​

LGBTQIA (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, intersex, and asexual) individuals often experience body dysmorphia, physical or emotional abuse, or feeling unsafe at school or work. There are many areas of the United States where finding sympathetic and appropriate help can be prohibitively difficult. Over 27% of transgender people in the U.S. report being denied healthcare. Recent studies have found that LGBTQIA people are 29% more likely to experience memory problems as compared to peers with similar characteristics such as age, gender, race and ethnicity, marital status, and income. Other studies have found that 71% of LGBTQIA people reported feeling sad or hopeless for at least two weeks within the past year, 39% have contemplated suicide, and 20% have attempted suicide.

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

Resource: 

​

https://www.minorityhealth.hhs.gov/omh/content.aspx?ID=9447

​

​

​

​