We are all aware that the past few years have been a success in gradually removing the stigma associated with mental health. We’ve seen this evidence as more people begin to recognize the importance of mental health. However, we are only at the beginning of this journey. We are still a long way from strengthening the world’s mental health system, and a new problem is already arising and is becoming more apparent as the pandemic continues. This is the issue of inequality. With this, the president of the World Federation for Mental Health, Dr. Ingrid Daniels, announced that the theme for this year’s World Mental Health Day will be “Mental Health in an Unequal World”.
Racial and ethnicity, sexual orientation and gender identity, and socioeconomic status are only a few of the major sources of inequality that contribute to an individual’s mental health problems.
In 2017, the American Psychiatric Association found that only one out of every three African Americans who need mental health care receives it. The lack of providers from diverse racial/ethnic backgrounds as well as culturally competent providers is considered as the barriers that hinder African-Americans from getting better mental health care.
Meanwhile, the LGBTQ+ population is seen with significant levels of depression and stress. Kneale and Bécares (2021) recently discovered that this community’s high levels of poor mental health are the outcome of discrimination. As long as these unfavorable events continue, they will have a negative impact on their mental health.
Inequality also has a negative impact on the mental health of low-income workers. They have difficulty seeking therapy or mental health services just because of their poor income (Steele, Dewa & Lee, 2007).
As World Mental Health Day approaches, everyone should seize the chance to come together and work to eliminate inequity so that all of us can enjoy good mental health, especially now that we continue to face a pandemic, which means we have become more vulnerable to health and social inequalities. What we can do in our own small way is to give respect to everyone, regardless of race and ethnicity, sexual orientation and gender identity, or socioeconomic background. We can help these vulnerable people improve their mental health by doing so. And if we all get started right now, we’ll be able to improve fast and make a huge difference in our mental health system.
Here at Shirley Therapeutic and Consulting Services, we believe that everyone deserves respect and kindness, which is why we encourage everyone to do one random act of kindness each day of the week. For anyone who needs encouragement, this tiny step can make a big difference.
Shirley Therapeutic and Consulting Services, LLC is a diverse therapy clinic that can meet the needs of anyone. If you’d like to talk about your mental health, feel free to message us here. Also, in cooperation with the World Federation of Mental Health’s campaign, let us all give everyone an equal chance of access to mental health services by recommending us to anybody you know who may need our assistance.
References:
American Psychiatric Association. (2017). Mental Health Disparities: African Americans. Mental health disparities: Diverse populations. Retrieved October 6, 2021, from https://www.psychiatry.org/File%20Library/Psychiatrists/Cultural-Competency/Mental-Health-Disparities/Mental-Health-Facts-for-African-Americans.pdf.
Kneale, D., & Bécares, L. (2021). Discrimination as a predictor of poor mental health among LGBTQ+ people during the COVID-19 pandemic: Cross-sectional analysis of the online Queerantine Study. BMJ Open, 11(6). https://doi.org/10.1136/bmjopen-2021-049405
Steele, L., Dewa, C., & Lee, K. (2007). Socioeconomic status and self-reported barriers to mental health service use. Canadian journal of psychiatry. Revue canadienne de psychiatrie, 52(3), 201–206. https://doi.org/10.1177/070674370705200312
2021 World Mental Health Global Awareness Campaign – World Mental Health Day theme. World Federation for Mental Health. (2021, March 19). Retrieved October 6, 2021, from https://wfmh.global/2021-world-mental-health-global-awareness-campaign-world-mental-health-day-theme/.
