Elizabeth Dosoretz, CEO, Founder, and LCSW, is the author of Lack of Mental Health Resources for Minorities Remains a Critical Concern.
In the U.S., higher rates of mental health challenges among minority communities continue to be met with limited access to culturally competent care—a gap that remains an urgent public health issue. Individuals from racial, ethnic, gender, and sexual minority communities often experience significant barriers when it comes to accessing quality mental health care. These challenges are made worse by ongoing stigma in their cultures, limited awareness about mental health, and experiences of discrimination. As a result, mental health outcomes in these communities tend to be poorer, and the need for inclusive, accessible care is more urgent than ever.
A Closer Look at the Gaps
Mental health includes our emotional, psychological, and social well-being. It affects how we think, feel, and function each day. And yet, many people who need mental health care do not receive it, especially within minority communities.
The conversation around minorities and mental health continues to gain attention, particularly during Minority Mental Health Awareness Month, but the statistics reveal how much work is still needed. According to national data, approximately 69% of Black adults and 67% of Hispanic adults with a mental illness did not receive treatment, compared to the national average of 56.7%. These numbers reflect a persistent gap in care access that disproportionately affects BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, and People of Color) populations.
This lack of treatment is not just about availability. It often stems from deeper issues like stigma, cost, language barriers, and limited access to culturally competent providers. For many, the care simply does not feel safe, supportive, or tailored to their needs.
What’s Getting in the Way?
There are several reasons these disparities exist. One of the biggest is stigma. In many cultures, emotional struggles are kept private, and mental health is still seen as something to be ashamed of. Talking about therapy or admitting you need help may be viewed as a weakness, or even a personal failure.
Beyond stigma, there’s also a lack of access to culturally competent care. That means there are fewer providers who speak your language, understand your values, or share your lived experience. And even when care is technically available, it might not feel safe or effective if the provider doesn’t truly “get” you.
All of this creates an environment where people are discouraged from seeking help in the first place, and when they do, they may not stay.
What BIPOC Communities Face
BIPOC mental health is deeply influenced by the broader systems and lived experiences that shape daily life. For many individuals in Black, Indigenous, and People of Color communities, mental health struggles do not exist in a vacuum. They are often the result of ongoing systemic challenges like racism, economic inequality, intergenerational trauma, and lack of access to culturally appropriate care. These are not just background issues; they are central to the experience.
Someone may be managing anxiety or depression, but they are also carrying the weight of discrimination, fear of being misunderstood, and a deep mistrust of institutions that have historically failed in their communities. This emotional burden can make it incredibly difficult to reach out for help, especially when mental health stigma in minority communities still discourages open conversations about seeking care.
Even when the need is clear, BIPOC mental health resources remain limited, and those that do exist are not always easy to access or culturally responsive. As a result, the journey to healing can feel overwhelming and isolating, leaving many to suffer in silence rather than risk being dismissed or misunderstood.
How to Find a Therapist
Access to mental health care is improving, but we have to keep talking about it. Organizations like Mental Health America and Black Emotional Mental Health Collective make it their mission to talk about the stigma and need for care amongst the Black community. Roughly 10% of Black Americans are without health insurance, making it difficult to get affordable care. Here are some tips on how to find mental health care:
- Sliding Scale: Some therapy and psychiatry groups offer a sliding scale. If you’re without insurance, this may be an option for you to be seen at an affordable rate.
- Check with Insurance: If you’re insured, check with your insurance company to see what groups accept your insurance.
- Access publicly available resources to find care, including:
- Psychology Today: https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/therapists?category=african-american
- Black Emotional and Mental Health Collective: https://beam.community/
- Boris Laure https://borislhensonfoundation.org/
- Therapy for Black Girls: https://therapyforblackgirls.com/
- Kids Mental Health Foundation: https://www.kidsmentalhealthfoundation.org/mental-health-resources/minority-mental-health/self-care-for-black-families
Elite DNA’s Commitment to Inclusive, Accessible Care
At Elite DNA Behavioral Health, we’re committed to making mental health care more accessible, inclusive, and culturally responsive.
Our team includes a diverse range of providers who offer services that are trauma-informed, identity-affirming, and person-centered. We work across Florida and Virginia to ensure that everyone, regardless of race, gender, identity, or background, can find care that feels right for them.
Ready to Be Understood and Supported?
Whether you’re seeking therapy, psychiatry, or both, we’re here to listen. When you schedule an appointment, our providers will assess your needs and help match you with the right provider for your situation, someone who sees and understands you. Request an appointment today and take the first step toward care that truly reflects who you are. Because your mental health matters, and so does your story.
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