BIPOC, Queer and Mental Health
As of 2020, mental health in America has modified materials for Black, Indigenous and People of Color to not use the term ‘minority’. 41.8% of the US population are People of Color and 13.5% were born in a different country. 4.5% of US population identify as LGBTQ+.
Since 2014, more than 5 million have taken mental health screening:
· 25.9% identified as LGBTQ+
· 8.22% identified as Asian American/ Pacific Islanders
· 7.3% were Black/ African Americans
· 11.5% were Native or Indigenous
· 8% were Multi- Racial or Other
Higher Risk
LGBTQ+ people are more likely than non LGBTQ+ people are more likely than non LGBTQ+ people to screen positive or at risk across all screens.
Among BIPOC Screeners:
Multiracial people were the most likely to screen positive or at risk for alcohol/substance use disorders, anxiety, depression, anxiety disorders and psychosis.
Native and Indigenous people were the most likely to screen positive or at risk for bipolar disorder and PTSD.
Lower Risk
Black/African-American people were slightly less likely to screen positive or at risk for alcohol/substance use disorders, anxiety, depression, eating disorders and psychosis.
Asian-American/Pacific-Islanders were slightly less likely to screen positive for Bipolar and PTSD.
LGBTQ and Mental Health
LGBTQ+ people of color experience a broad range of mental health challenges. It disrupts their daily lives and can be life threatening, especially for children and youth. A majority of LGBTQ+ adults of color in the US face a significant number of mental health challenges now in the present time.
Often, LGBTQ+ people who are BIPOC usually face barriers to care and treatment due to mistrust in the medical community, and a high uninsurance rates amongst other injustices. In the U.S more than 28% of LGBTQ+ adults have no health insurance compares to 8% adults.
While LGBTQ+ adults of color experience similar rates of mental health challenges as LGBTQ+ adults generally, they receive unequal rates of diagnoses. A rate of 29% of LGBTQ+ adults of color say they have been diagnosed with a depressive order from a provider, compared to 39% of the LGBTQ+ adults broadly, a ten point gap. Moreover, only 35% of LGBTQ+ youth of color receive emotional counseling.
Our mental health is important — and we must find solutions to address these inequities.
July Is BIPOC Mental Health Month
Formally recognized in June 2008, Bebe Moore Campbell National Minority Mental Health Awareness Month was created to bring awareness to the unique struggles that underrepresented groups face in regard to mental illness in the United States.
Bebe Moore Campbell was an American author, journalist, teacher, and mental health advocate who worked tirelessly to shed light on the mental health needs of the Black community and other underrepresented communities.
In an effort to continue the visionary work of Bebe Moore Campbell, each year we develop a public education campaign dedicated to addressing the needs of BIPOC.
BIPOC Mental Health Statistics And General Information
Please note that the statistics below are a brief overview of the prevalence of mental health conditions in special populations. For more details about prevalence, access and treatment issues, and beliefs/attitudes surrounding mental health, click on the underlined titles for more.
Black/African American Community
· Percent of African Americans with Mental Illness: 17% [Source]
· Number of African Americans with Mental Illness: 6.8 million
Latinx/Hispanic American Community
· Percent of Latinx/Hispanic Americans with Mental Illness: 15% [Source]
· Number of Latinx/Hispanic Americans with Mental Illness: 8.9 million
Asian American/Pacific Islander Community
· Percent of Asian Americans with Mental Illness: 13% [Source]
· Number of Asian Americans with Mental Illness: 2.2 million
Native and Indigenous Communities
· Percent of Native Americans/Alaskan Natives with Mental Illness: 23% [Source]
· Number of Native Americans/Alaskan Natives with Mental Illness: 830,000
Multiracial
· Percent of people who identify as being two or more races with mental illness: 25% [Source]
· People who identity as being two or more races are most likely to report any mental illness within the past year than any other race/ethnic group.
LGBTQ+ Community
· Percent of Individuals who Identify as LGBTQIA+ with Mental Illness: 37%
· Number of Individuals who Identify as LGBTQIA+ with Mental Illness: 3.9 million [Source]
Mental Health America released a report on LGBTQ+ mental health using data gathered from our online screening tools here.
Click Here For An Infographic On BIPOC Mental Health
Policy Issues Relevant To Special Populations
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