Teletherapy has improved access, but it’s not enough on its own. A crisis response system is only as effective as the trust people have in it. Without proper support, stress compounds, leading to burnout, disengagement, or worse. That could mean offering therapy in community gathering spaces rather than clinical offices or incorporating spirituality when appropriate. Others may respond better to a wide range of nonverbal approaches like art therapy, meditation, or movement-based interventions.
- Wisconsin‘s WIOA plan provides trauma-informed care training to career counselors and other staff working in local job centers, recognizing that addressing the factors that cause and foster trauma can support success on the path to employment.
- Minister for Mental Health Ingrid Stitt today launched the Diverse Communities Mental Health and Wellbeing Framework 2025–2035, setting out a 10-year vision for a mental health system that is safe, responsive and inclusive of multicultural and multifaith communities, LGBTIQA+ Victorians and people with disability.
- The same analysis indicates that among dedicated behavioral health workforces, 83.5% of psychologists are white, as are 60.6% of social workers and 64.6% of counselors.
- For individuals with disabilities, various community living options are needed for independence and integration into the fabric of daily life.
Mental Health Facts for Diverse Populations (.pdf)
But, systemic inequalities mean that not everyone is able to access care fairly. In short, our mental health contributes to our overall quality of life. Investing in these targeted strategies strengthens community well-being and improves population health.
State Strategies to Increase Diversity in the Behavioral Health Workforce
Nguyen endorsed this idea, saying that while some mentees need specific technical or career support, many are simply looking for an individual who looks like them to show them that there is a path to success and who understands the unique challenges and roadblocks that one experiences as a minority in the field. BigFoot repaid this support by mentoring and encouraging other young people, in both formal and informal ways, she said, and she shared two stories about young women’s lives that she has affected. Given this, he encouraged health educators to promote the idea that both community members and health professionals have things to learn from one another and that they can both gain from the experience of working together. Horne cautioned that simply conducting research in communities is not sufficient for true engagement; accurate research requires a “trusting relationship where people will openly and honestly tell you what they think, versus telling you what they think you want to hear.”
Research has shown that African American and Latino communities in the US have expressed mistrust of clinicians as a product of historical persecution as well as current issues of racism and discrimination (Gopalkrishnan 2018). By prioritizing diversity, equity, and inclusion, we can build stronger, more resilient communities for all. Resilience is the ability to adapt and recover from difficult situations, and it’s essential for communities to be resilient in order to thrive. This can include creating programs and initiatives that specifically target marginalized groups, as well as working with community members to understand and address their unique needs. We strive to be the 1st place Physicians look to for careers opportunities and information as it pertains to the Medical profession, careers, education and diversity.
Community-based care
This expansion reduces the likelihood that need for a health-based response is not dismissed by third-party interpretation. Historically, behavioral health emergencies have been defined with a focus on dangerousness, as evidenced in the statutes of several states. The American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 (ARPA) established a new state Medicaid option to provide community mobile crisis intervention services with a three-year period of an enhanced federal matching rate. The National Suicide Hotline Designation Act of 2020 established 988 as a national suicide prevention and behavioral health crisis line. Flexible approaches are necessary in promoting a crisis response system that is connected to necessary supports and centered on equity within and across all communities.
Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) communities have weathered centuries of racism, causing transgenerational mental health consequences and hindering access to quality treatment. Mental health awareness has significantly increased in recent years, yet profound disparities remain in the accessibility https://www.emdria.org/blog/emdria-members-respond-how-can-the-field-of-emdr-therapy-increase-access-of-care-for-bipoc-individuals/ of mental health resources across different racial and ethnic groups in the UK. Despite the high prevalence of PTSD, depression, and anxiety within these groups, access to mental health services remains limited. Several systemic barriers hinder access to mental health resources for ethnic minorities, refugees, and asylum seekers. People of color may also consider mental health treatment if they feel services will be rendered by people who resemble their race, culture, and gender. These statistics influenced me as an African American female in regard to furthering my education in the field in order to provide mental health services in my community.
By effectively addressing both physical and mental health needs, collaborative care models can help individuals better manage chronic conditions, reduce hospitalizations, and enhance overall quality of life. This integrated approach not only streamlines the healthcare process for individuals but also leads to improved health outcomes. In addition to public awareness campaigns, peer support programs offer a unique form of assistance by connecting individuals with lived experiences of mental health challenges. Moreover, promoting the practice of mental health professionals in underserved areas is essential for improving access to care. According to NAMI, about one in five people in the U.S. have a mental health condition, but only half get needed treatment.