A Dream Unmet
On January 19, we celebrated Dr. Martin Luther King and his dream of equality. For those of color, particularly Black youth, inequality continues to exist. Despite similar rates of mental health issues, people of color have a higher burden of illness and inequity in their access to mental health care. For those minorities suffering mental health issues, only 39% receive treatment compared to 52% of their white counterparts. Suicide rates among adolescent and young Black males have increased by 58% from 2011-2021. Suicide is now the 3rd leading cause of death among Black youth.
People of color and minorities make up only 13% of the U.S. population, but 32% of the prison population. This is five times higher than the white population and two times higher than the Hispanic population. Prisoners across all races and ethnicities have higher rates of mental health issues, ranging from trauma, learning disabilities, substance use disorders, bipolar disorder, and schizophrenia. Approximately 6% of the general population meet criteria for Post Traumatic Stress Disorder [PTSD] secondary to suffering severe, long-standing abuse and neglect. These rates increase to 18% of male prisoners and 40% of female prisoners.
Multiple barriers prevent Black youth from receiving the care they need, including a lack of education and access to mental health care. Up to 40% of Black youth have experienced trauma, often spanning across generations. Financial inequalities expose children to violence, poverty, neglect, substance use, and the inability to access high-quality education and mental health services. Trauma reactive symptoms, such as reactive aggression, can be misinterpreted as “antisocial.” Without awareness or access to mental health care, these children are funneled into the justice system, where they suffer greater exposure to violence and trauma.
In recognition of this inequity, there has been a greater understanding of racial inequity and an increase in racial and cultural competency in the mental health field of care. Providers are required to participate in education and training on the inherent biases in care, look for potential inequities, and, recognizing those challenges, care for their patients appropriately.
Only through increasing our awareness of the needs of minority populations can Dr. King’s dream be realized.
Dr. Michele Casoli-Reardon, MD
Chief Medical Officer, Fuller Hospital
