ADVERTISEMENT
Nearly Half of BIPOC Individuals Dissatisfied With Mental Health, but Far Less Seek Help
Nearly half (47%) of BIPOC (Black, indigenous, and people of color) individuals recently said they have been dissatisfied with the state of their mental health within the past year, but just about a quarter (27%) said they would “seek help,” according to results from the GeneSight Mental Health Monitor, a national survey published by Myriad Genetics.
A statistically representative sample (n=1000) of US adults at least 18 years of age completed an online survey conducted by ACUPOLL Precision Research in February. The study produced the following findings:
- More than 75% of BIPOC individuals reported having used at least 1 addictive behavior and/or unhealthy coping mechanism to manage mental health issues. Such mechanisms include restricted or binge eating, excessive gambling, alcohol consumption, illicit substance use, or extreme social media use.
- If asked about their unhealthy coping mechanisms, 45% of BIPOC individuals were likely to react by saying they were “just going through a rough patch,” compared to 35% of the general population.
- At 27%, the rate of BIPOC individuals likely to seek help for mental health was lower than that of the general population (35%). Just 37% of BIPOC survey respondents said they have spoken with a healthcare provider.
“There have been numerous ways multiple diverse populations have been harmed by the medical community,” Johnny Williamson, MD, a Chicago, Illinois-based psychologist, said in a GeneSight news release. “The first thing is being forthcoming and acknowledging that. And then, it goes to the process of building trust, sharing objective information, and engaging the patient and the family in the decision-making process.
“Once we empower our patients and families to be an active part of treatment—it’s not, ‘I come in, the doctor writes a prescription, and I leave’—that oftentimes cuts through though concerns and fears that are based on some of the history of medicine and underrepresented minorities.”
Meanwhile, cost of living was cited most frequently as the factor regularly impacting mental health among Hispanic respondents (51%), compared to 42% of the general population. There were also several notable findings from survey questions addressing mental healthcare interventions:
- 27% of BIPOC respondents cited “finding a medication that better relieves my symptoms” as the most impactful step toward improving their mental health; and
- 45% of Black respondents said exercise has helped their mental health—vs. 41% of general population respondents)—and 27% of Black respondents said their mental health was helped by seeing a psychologist, therapist, or counselor within the past year, compared to just 20% of the general survey population.
“An open discussion that is curious and validating in the experience of many of these underrepresented groups we are talking about I think can benefit everyone greatly, and it can expand the field in ways that would bring more effective treatment to more people,” Dr Williamson said.
References
