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A new report finds that the mental health effects of the pandemic are more likely to have a significant impact on teenagers. Carol Yepes/Getty Images

One in three adolescents (31.9 percent) will meet the criteria for an anxiety disorder by the age of 18.

A new poll finds many teens show signs of anxiety and depression.

The restrictions of the pandemic have been felt across the board. For teenagers, restrictions have meant months of virtual learning, more time isolated from friends, and the canceling of important social activities like sports, school performances, graduations, and proms.

All data and statistics are based on publicly available data at the time of publication. Some information may be out of date. Visit our coronavirus hub and follow our live updates page for the most recent information on the COVID-19 pandemic.
The COVID-19 pandemic has meant living through multiple crises, including financial and disease-related ones, all at once.

These crises have taken a toll on our mental and physical health.

According to the Kaiser Family Foundation, 4 in 10 adults in the United States have reported anxiety or depressive disorder symptoms during the pandemic.

But a poll from C.S. Mott Children's Hospital shows that the mental health effects of the pandemic are more likely to have a significant impact on teenagers.

The restrictions of the pandemic have been felt across the board. For teenagers, restrictions have meant months of virtual learning, more time isolated from friends, and the canceling of important social activities like sports, school performances, graduations, and proms.

According to the C.S. Mott Children's Hospital National Poll on Children's Health at Michigan Medicine, a national poll shows that 46 percent of parents say their teen had shown signs of a new or worsening mental health condition since the beginning of the pandemic in March 2020.

"Teenage years are filled with physical, emotional, and cognitive changes. There are also hormonal shifts, more independence and responsibility, and peer challenges," said Brittany LeMonda, PhD, senior neuropsychologist at Lenox Hill Hospital in New York. "It is therefore not surprising that teens have been more susceptible to declines in psychological health over the last year."

The poll looked at responses based on 977 parents of teenagers between 13 and 18 years old. The results suggest that 1 in 3 girls and 1 in 5 teen boys have experienced new or worsening anxiety.

Going deeper, the results show that more parents of teen girls than parents of teen boys noted an increase in anxiety and worry (36 percent versus 19 percent) or depression/sadness (31 percent versus 18 percent).

Regardless of a pandemic, a large portion of teenagers will meet the criteria for a anxiety, depression or other mental condition.

One in three adolescents (31.9 percent) will meet the criteria for an anxiety disorder by age 18.

According to the Child Mind Institute, 14.3 percent of teens will be affected by depression and bipolar disorder.

With the added trauma of the global pandemic, it's not a surprise that teens are one of the most affected groups.

"What we see is not surprising in the pool," said Dr. Jess Shatkin, a child and adolescent psychiatrist leading educational efforts of the Child Study Center at Hassenfeld Children's Hospital at NYU Langone Health.

"Since 1999, when the surgeon general did their first report on mental health in families and children, it showed that about 20 percent of kids suffer from major psychiatric disorders," Shatkin said. "These can be mild, from adjustment to divorce, while some will be more severe, like anxiety, mood disorders, and schizophrenia. All of these increase with added stress."

The pandemic has forced teens to be removed from normal social, physical, and educational interactions.

The poll's results show that kids have been hardest hit by changes in social interactions over the past year, with 3 in 4 parents reporting a negative impact on their teen's connections to friends.

The parents report that 64 percent of their teens have been texting, while 56 percent are using social media, 43 percent online gaming, and 35 percent talking on the phone every day or almost every day.

The minority of parents reported that their teens have been meeting with friends daily, indoors (9 percent) or outdoors (6 percent).

"When kids are depressed, we try to engage them so they don't stay in and isolate. We call it behavioral activation," added Shatkin.

Because of the COVID-19 restrictions, this all becomes a much greater challenge when staying in and isolating becomes the only way to stay physically safe and curb the spread of the virus.

The research shows that parents during the pandemic have reported negative changes in their teen's sleep patterns, withdrawal from family, and aggressive behavior.

These symptoms can be signs of depression or anxiety. Parents should watch for teens exhibiting these behaviors or other major changes in behavior due to the added stress of being removed from their usual experiences.

"Parents should be aware of warning signs, such as withdrawal and isolation from others, drop in grades, changes in sleeping or eating patterns, substance use, apathy, and suicidal thoughts," said LeMonda. "Early detection of anxiety and depression can lead to early intervention and better treatment outcomes."

The poll findings also tapped into methods that parents have used to improve their teens' mental health. Experts recommend:

Relaxing family rules

Fifty-two percent of parents polled have tried relaxing family COVID-19 rules to allow for contact with friends, while 47 percent also said they have loosened social media restrictions. Eighty-one percent and 70 percent said both of these helped, respectively.

Talking with an expert

Talking with a mental health professional is always a strong option, with or without severe symptoms of depression or anxiety. One in four parents said they sought help for their teen, and 74 percent of those said that it had a positive effect.

Trying a web-based program

Twenty-five percent of parents encouraged their teen to try a web program or app to improve mental health. Apps are often less intimidating because they are efficient and portable.

Keeping communication open while still giving space

One in seven parents reported that their teen has withdrawn from the family. This can be concerning for a parent so they may try to overcompensate.

It can be more effective to demonstrate that teens are not alone by sharing one's own insecurities and fears surrounding our changed world, as well as sharing personal coping strategies and asking questions to help create a safe space.

Encourage better sleep habits

One in four parents reported that their teens had had a negative change to their sleep patterns.

Creating a regular sleep schedule to fit with an online learning schedule, or creating responsibilities around the house and encouraging interaction with friends and family, can all contribute to a more healthy sleep routine.

"For parents who are able to and are around the house, it can be good to try to exercise with your kids most days," said Shatkin. "This can be jogging, walking the dog, playing tennis, or whatever you can do safely outside."

He also suggested building in activities or expanding on teens' responsibilities to help give them a sense of purpose. This can be a family movie night, family cleaning, or having kids help plan meals or cook.

"Kids sometimes get a pass on these because parents are busy or end up doing it themselves. Now, there is an opportunity to enhance that," he said.

Begin the dialogue early

The most important thing to remember is that mental illness can begin at the earliest of ages. Waiting until teens reach their 20s or 30s to deal with mental health can be detrimental.

"We have a huge opportunity to identify these issues early and also prevent a lot of them," said Shatkin.

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COVID-19 Lockdown Impacts Teens' Mental Health

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One in three adolescents (31.9 percent) will meet the criteria for an anxiety disorder by the age of 18. A new poll finds many teens show signs of anxiety and depression. The restrictions of the pandemic have been felt across the board.

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Being a teenager is hard. You're under stress to be liked, do well in school, get along with your family, and make big decisions. You can't avoid most of these pressures, and worrying about them is normal. But feeling very sad, hopeless or worthless could be warning signs of a mental health problem.

Mental health problems are real, painful, and sometimes severe. You might need help if you have the signs mentioned above, or if you :

Often feel very angry or very worried

Feel grief for a long time after a loss or death

Think your mind is controlled or out of control

Exercise, diet and/or binge-eat obsessively

Hurt other people or destroy property

Do reckless things that could harm you or others

Feel depressed (sad and hopeless)

Mental health problems can be treated. To find help, talk to your parents, school counselor, or health care provider.

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Being a teenager is hard. You're under stress to be liked, do well in school, get along with your family, and make big decisions. You can't avoid most of these pressures, and worrying about them is normal. But feeling very sad, hopeless or worthless could be warning signs of a mental health problem.

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Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

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Mental health is an important part of children's overall health and well-being. Mental health includes children's mental, emotional, and behavioral well-being. It affects how children think, feel, and act. It also plays a role in how children handle stress, relate to others, and make healthy choices.

Mental disorders among children are described as serious changes in the way children typically learn, behave, or handle their emotions, causing distress and problems getting through the day. Among the more common mental disorders that can be diagnosed in childhood are attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), anxiety, and behavior disorders.

There are different ways to assess mental health and mental disorders in children. CDC uses surveys, like the National Survey of Children's Health, to describe the presence of positive indicators of children's mental health and to understand the number of children with diagnosed mental disorders and whether they received treatment. In this type of survey, parents report on indicators of positive mental health for their child and report any diagnoses their child has received from a healthcare provider. The information on this page provides data about indicators of positive mental health in children and mental health disorders that are most common in children.

Facts about mental health in U.S. children

National data on positive mental health indicators that describe mental, emotional, and behavioral well-being for children are limited. Based on the data we do have:

Facts about mental disorders in U.S. children

ADHD, anxiety problems, behavior problems, and depression are the most commonly diagnosed mental disorders in children. Estimates for ever having a diagnosis among children aged 3-17 years, in 2016-19, are given below.

ADHD 9.8% (approximately 6.0 million)

Anxiety 9.4% (approximately 5.8 million)

Behavior problems 8.9% (approximately 5.5 million)

Depression 4.4% (approximately 2.7 million)

Some of these conditions commonly occur together. For example, among children aged 3-17 years in 2016:

Having another mental disorder was most common in children with depression: about 3 in 4 children with depression also had anxiety (73.8%) and almost 1 in 2 had behavior problems (47.2%).

For children with anxiety, more than 1 in 3 also had behavior problems (37.9%) and about 1 in 3 also had depression (32.3%).

For children with behavior problems, more than 1 in 3 also had anxiety (36.6%) and about 1 in 5 also had depression (20.3%).

For adolescents, depression, substance use and suicide are important concerns. Among adolescents aged 12-17 years in 2018-2019 reporting on the past year:

Learn more about high-risk substance use among youth. Learn more about suicide.

Mental, behavioral, and developmental disorders begin in early childhood
1 in 6 U.S. children aged 2-8 years (17.4%) had a diagnosed mental, behavioral, or developmental disorder.

Prevalence of mental disorders change with age

Diagnoses of ADHD, anxiety, and depression become are more common with increased age.

Behavior problems are more common among children aged 6-11 years than younger or older children.

Adverse childhood events (ACEs) are associated with children's physical and mental health. In 2016-2019, among children aged 6-17 years:

Children who were discriminated against based on race or ethnicity had higher percentages of one or more physical health conditions (37.8% versus 27.1%), and one or more mental health conditions (28.9% versus 17.8%).

Racial/ethnic discrimination was almost seven times as common among children with three other ACEs compared to those with no other ACEs.

Note: The estimates reported on this page are based on parent report, using nationally representative surveys. This method has several limitations. It is not known to what extent children receive these diagnoses accurately. Estimates based on parent-reported diagnoses may match those based on medical records, but some children may also have mental disorders that have not been diagnosed, or receive diagnoses that may not be the best fit for their symptoms. Limited information on measuring children's mental health nationally is available.

Read more about children's mental health from a community study.

Access to mental health treatment

Early diagnosis and appropriate services for children and their families can make a difference in the lives of children with mental disorders. Access to providers who can offer services, including screening, referrals, and treatment, varies by location. CDC is working to learn more about access to behavioral health services and supports for children and their families.
View information by state describing the rates of different types of providers who can offer behavioral health services providers by county. Read a recent report describing shortages of services, barriers to treatment, and how integration of behavioral health care with pediatric primary care could address the issues. Read a policy brief on potential ways to increase access to mental health services for children in rural areas
Data sources for mental health and related conditions

There are many different datasets which include information on children's mental health and related conditions for children living in the United States.

Healthy People 2030
Healthy People 2030 sets data-driven national objectives to improve health and well-being over the next decade, including children's mental health and well-being.

National Survey of Family Growth (NSFG)
NSFG gathers information on family life, marriage and divorce, pregnancy, infertility, use of contraception, and general and reproductive health.

National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES)
NHANES assesses health and nutritional status through interviews and physical examinations, and includes conditions, symptoms, and concerns associated with mental health and substance abuse, as well as the use and need for mental health services.

National Health Interview Survey (NHIS)
NHIS collects data on children's mental health, mental disorders, such as ADHD, autism spectrum disorder, depression and anxiety problems, and use and need for mental health services.

National Survey of Children's Health (NSCH)
NSCH examines the health of children, with emphasis on well-being, including medical homes, family interactions, the health of parents, school and after-school experiences, and safe neighborhoods. This survey was redesigned in 2016.

For previous versions of this survey, see also:
National Survey of Children's Health (NSCH 2003, 2007, 2011-12)
National Survey of Children with Special Healthcare Needs (NS-CSHCN 2001, 2005-6, 2009-10)

National Survey of the Diagnosis and Treatment of ADHD and Tourette Syndrome (NS-DATA)
NS-DATA collects information about children, 2-15 years old in 2011-2012, who had ever been diagnosed with ADHD and/or Tourette syndrome (TS), with the goal of better understanding diagnostic practices, level of impairment, and treatments for this group of children.

National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH)
NSDUH, administered by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), provides national- and state-level data on the use of tobacco, alcohol, and illicit drugs (including non-medical use of prescription drugs), as well as data on mental health in the United States.

National Vital Statistics System (NVSS)
NVSS contains vital statistics from the official records of live births, deaths, causes of death, marriages, divorces, and annulment recorded by states and independent registration areas

National Youth Tobacco Survey (NYTS)
NYTS is a nationally representative school-based survey on tobacco use by public school students enrolled in grades 6-12.

School Associated Violent Death Study (SAVD)
SAVD plays an important role in monitoring trends related to school-associated violent deaths (including suicide), identifying the factors that increase the risk, and assessing the effects of prevention efforts.

School Health Policies and Programs Study (SHPPS)
SHPPS is a national survey assessing school health policies and practices at the state, district, school, and classroom levels. Collected data includes mental health and social service policies.

Web-based Injury Statistics Query and Reporting System (WISQARS)
WISQARS is an interactive database system that provides customized reports of injury-related data.

Youth Risk Behavior Surveillance System (YRBSS)
The YRBSS monitors health-risk behaviors, including tobacco use, substance abuse, unintentional injuries and violence, sexual behaviors that contribute to unintended pregnancy, and sexually transmitted diseases.

References

1. Perou R, Bitsko RH, Blumberg SJ, Pastor P, Ghandour RM, Gfroerer JC, Hedden SL, Crosby AE, Visser SN, Schieve LA, Parks SE, Hall JE, Brody D, Simile CM, Thompson WW, Baio J, Avenevoli S, Kogan MD, Huang LN. Mental health surveillance among children - United States, 2005-2011. MMWR 2013;62(Suppl; May 16, 2013):1-35. [Read summary]

2. Bitsko RH, Claussen AH, Lichtstein J, Black LJ, Everett Jones S, Danielson MD, Hoenig JM, Davis Jack SP, Brody DJ, Gyawali S, Maenner MM, Warner M, Holland KM, Perou R, Crosby AE, Blumberg SJ, Avenevoli S, Kaminski JW, Ghandour RM. Surveillance of Children's Mental Health - United States, 2013 - 2019 MMWR, , 2022 / 71(Suppl-2);1-42. [Read article]

3. Ghandour RM, Sherman LJ, Vladutiu CJ, Ali MM, Lynch SE, Bitsko RH, Blumberg SJ. Prevalence and treatment of depression, anxiety, and conduct problems in U.S. children. The Journal of Pediatrics, 2018. Published online before print October 12, 2018 [Read summary]

4. Bitsko RH, Holbrook JR, Ghandour RM, Blumberg SJ, Visser SN, Perou R, Walkup J. Epidemiology and impact of healthcare provider diagnosed anxiety and depression among US children. Journal of Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics. Published online before print April 24, 2018 [Read summary]

5. Cree RA, Bitsko RH, Robinson LR, Holbrook JR, Danielson ML, Smith DS, Kaminski JW, Kenney MK, Peacock G. Health care, family, and community factors associated with mental, behavioral, and developmental disorders and poverty among children aged 2-8 years - United States, 2016. MMWR, 2018;67(5):1377-1383. [Read article]

6. Hutchins HJ, Barry CM, Valentine V, Bacon S, Njai R, Claussen AH, Ghandour RM, Lebrun-Harris LA, Perkins K, Robinson LR (submitted). Perceived racial/ethnic discrimination, physical and mental health conditions in childhood, and the relative role of other adverse experiences. Adversity and Resilience Science published online May 23, 2022. [Read summary]

7. US Department of Health and Human Services Health Resources and Services Administration & Maternal and Child Health Bureau. Mental health: A report of the Surgeon General. Rockville, MD: US Department of Health and Human Services, Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, Center for Mental Health Services, and National Institutes of Health, National Institute of Mental Health; 1999. [Read report]

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Data and Statistics on Children's Mental Health | CDC

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Read data highlights about children's mental health.

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Principles Academy for Adolescent Wellness

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A variety of factors can cause and/or lead to the development of mental illness in teens. Discover the facts and statistics of teen mental health.

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By Mental Health First Aid USA on February 3, 2021

Being a teen comes with exciting milestones that double as challenges - like becoming independent, navigating high school and forming new relationships. For all the highs that come with getting a driver's license or acing that difficult test, there are lows that come with growing up in a rapidly changing world being shaped by the COVID-19 pandemic, social media and distance learning.

Teens' brains are growing and developing, and the ways they process their experiences and spend their time are crucial to their development. Each great experience and every embarrassing moment can impact their mental health.
Sometimes a mood is about more than just being lonely or angry or frustrated.
Mental health challenges are different than situational sadness or fatigue. They're more severe and longer-lasting, and they can have a large impact on daily life. Some common mental health challenges are anxiety, depression, eating disorders, substance use, and experiencing trauma. They can affect a teen's usual way of thinking, feeling or acting, and interfere with daily life.

Adding to the urgency: Mental health challenges among teens are not uncommon. Up to 75% of mental health challenges emerge during adolescence, and according to the Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) curriculum, one in five teens has had a serious mental health disorder at some point in their life.
Not every mental health challenge will be diagnosed as a mental disorder, but every challenge should be taken seriously.
A mental health challenge left unchecked can become a more serious problem that also impacts physical health - think of how substance use, and changes in sleep patterns and eating habits affect the body as well as the mind. Signs of fatigue, withdrawing socially or changes in mood may point to an emerging mental health challenge like a depressive or substance use disorder.

As teens mature, they begin spending more time with their friends, gain a sense of identity and purpose, and become more independent. All of these experiences are crucial for their development, and a mental health challenge can disrupt or complicate that development. Depending on the severity of the mental health challenge, the effects can last long into adulthood if left unaddressed.
How do we address teens' mental health?
Teens need tools to talk about what's going on with them, and they need tools for when their friends reach out to them. Research shows that teens are more likely to talk to their friends than an adult about troubles they're facing.

That's why it's important to talk to teens about the challenges they may deal with as they grow up and navigate young adulthood. They need to know it's OK to sometimes feel sad, angry, alone, and frustrated. But persistent problems may be pointing to something else, and it is crucial to be able to recognize early warning signs so teens can get appropriate help in a timely manner. teen Mental Health First Aid teaches high school students in grades 10-12 how to identify, understand and respond to signs of a mental health problem or crisis among their friends - and how to bring in a trusted adult when it's appropriate and necessary. With proper care and treatment, many teens with mental health or substance use challenges can recover. The first step is getting help.

Learn more about teen Mental Health First Aid by watching this video and checking out our blog. Your school or youth-serving organization can also apply to bring this training to your community.

teen Mental Health First Aid is run by the National Council for Mental Wellbeing and supported by Lady Gaga's Born This Way Foundation.

Resource Guide:

Mental Health First Aid USA. (2020). teen Mental Health First Aid USA: A manual for young people in 10th-12th grade helping their friends. Washington, DC: National Council for Mental Wellbeing.

National Institute of Mental Health. (2020). The Teen Brain: 7 Things to Know. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/publications/the-teen-brain-7-things-to-know/index.shtml.

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The Impact of Mental Health Challenges on Teens - Mental Health First Aid

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Being a teen comes with exciting milestones that double as challenges. For all the highs that come with getting a driver's license or acing that difficult test, there are lows that come with growing up in a rapidly changing world being shaped by the COVID-19 pandemic, social media and distance learning.

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Suicide Prevention as a Social Justice Issue

We can all easily understand that suicide is a mental health issue. However, if we only view suicide through the mental health lens, society will be very limited in its ability to change the issue. Because change is then reliant only on the mental health system and only on those who can access mental health care.

If we were to view suicide as, let's say, a public health issue, many systems are now involved in creating change: schools, workplaces, health care systems, faith communities and more. Now everyone can play a role in suicide prevention. That is, if they care. Because if a person hasn't been directly affected by suicide, they may be unaware of its impact and less inclined to help. I would argue, then, that this is where even this "all-hands-in" perspective falls short.

Suicide prevention needs a new approach-one that uses the strength of community to engage a wider circle. Consider, as an example, the LGBTQ movement. Many who haven't been affected by the injustices the LGBTQ community face have been inspired by the energy and strength of the movement. They see the energy of the large parades and moving testimonies and want to be a part of it.

This is what we need to do for suicide prevention: make it a social justice issue.

Why is Suicide a Social Justice Issue?

We have a grave imbalance in the way we treat mental health conditions compared to physical conditions. People living with suicidal thoughts and feelings often have difficulty accessing care at all, let alone adequate care. There are too few effective treatment options available with expertise in suicide crisis response and grief support and those that are available are too costly for the average person.

Harmful, stigmatizing narratives get reinforced by the media and pop culture, leading people with suicidal thoughts to further isolate and feel hopeless. These are the injustices that lead to suicide being the 10th leading cause of death in this country.

People are genuinely afraid to reach out to get the help they need to survive. If that isn't a social justice issue, I don't know what is. As my colleague, Dr. Doug Johnson once said to me, "We have a psycho-social injustice problem. We have Americanized mental illness by looking for quick fixes and ignoring the emotional impact of marginalization."

When it comes to suicide prevention, our "quick fix" in the U.S. is often to put people on involuntary holds in hospitals rather than focus on the "emotional impact of marginalization," or, the experience of feeling hopeless because your community has told you that your suffering is your own fault. These are the societal factors to suicide that a 3-day hospitalization can't fix.

Advocating for Systemic Change

When people become marginalized, they are often told that they and their experiences do not matter. Advocacy allows those who have been marginalized to publicly state: "This is who I am. This is how the dreams of mine and others like me have been systematically destroyed." Advocates can also paint a vision by saying, "This is the change I see possible."

The World Health Organization defines mental health advocacy as something that has been developed "to promote the human rights of persons with mental disorders and to reduce stigma and discrimination. It consists of various actions aimed at changing the major structural and attitudinal barriers to achieving positive mental health outcomes in populations." We need to repurpose this definition for the cause of suicide prevention, because even within the mental health field, suicide is stigmatized. We need suicide prevention advocates who will:

Give a voice to those who have been silenced. Specifically, to our suicide attempt survivors and suicide loss survivors. By sharing stories of hope, we move hearts and create a roadmap to recovery. One project that does this well is the Live through This project. Founder Dese'Rae Stage takes portraits of suicide attempt survivors and records interviews with them about their journeys.

M obilize bystanders and connect populations. There is great suicide prevention advocacy effort within the construction industry. Because their rate of suicide is so high, they are making suicide prevention a health and safety priority by getting organized through the Construction Industry Alliance for Suicide Prevention. We need to do this in more communities, in more high-risk populations.

Stand in solidarity. The American Foundation for Suicide Prevention coordinates hundreds of "Out of the Darkness" walks across the nation. Thousands pull together and walk to remember loved ones lost to suicide.

Build momentum. This year, national partners in suicide prevention like the National Action Alliance for Suicide Prevention, the American Association of Suicidology and the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline are uniting around a single message for National Suicide Prevention Week: #BeThere. This coordination of a single call-to-action helps build support and momentum.

Act against injustice. Suicide prevention advocates can help shift discrimination and champion policies through legislative action. For example, we can testify before our legislators about the need for better suicide intervention training for mental health providers. The American Foundation for Suicide Prevention offers tools to help.

Everyone can play a role in suicide prevention whether or not you've been directly impacted by suicide. Together, we can change the hearts and minds of influencers and decision-makers. We can engage media in positive stories of hope and recovery. We can rally around a brighter future.

When we pull together, the community we build is powerful. Making meaning out of our suffering shifts our narrative from "survivor" to "advocate." So, keep going, for as long as the social justice work is calling you. We need you.
If you'd like to get more involved in becoming part of the army fighting against suicide, join United Suicide Survivors International Sally Spencer-Thomas is a clinical psychologist, inspirational international speaker and an impact entrepreneur. Dr. Spencer-Thomas was moved to work in suicide prevention after her younger brother, a Denver entrepreneur, died of suicide after a difficult battle with bipolar condition. Her goal is to elevate the conversation and make suicide prevention a health and safety priority in our schools, workplaces and communities. Spencer-Thomas has also held leadership positions for the National Action Alliance for Suicide Prevention, the International Association for Suicide Prevention, the American Association for Suicidology, and the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline. Connect with Dr. Spencer-Thomas by visiting her website: www.SallySpencerThomas.com and participate in our monthly webinars to become a suicide prevention change agent.
If you need support right now, call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255
or text "NAMI" to the Crisis Text Line at 741-741.

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i want to advocate for suicide prevention

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Suicide Prevention as a Social Justice Issue | NAMI: National Alliance on Mental Illness

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If we only view suicide through the mental health lens, society will be very limited in its ability to change the issue. Because change is then reliant only on the mental health system and only on those who can access mental health care. We need to think bigger.

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Racial inequality in mental health care is real - it's present in the underfunded healthcare institutions in minority communities, in cases of misdiagnosed mental illnesses affecting Black Americans, the lack of culturally responsive care, and paucity of providers equipped to treat Black American. Black people and people of color are less likely to have their mental health problems addressed, mainly as a result of a dysfunctional healthcare system that isn't fully equipped to serve people of minority race or ethnicity.

Even as Black communities are faced with a disproportionate number of Covid-19 deaths in the US, the current spate of anti-Black violence poses a threat not just to lives, but to the mental well-being of every Black American. There's no gainsaying that far-reaching change is required in the health care and mental health care system in order to truly protect Black lives.

The Scale of Racial Inequality in Mental Health

The extreme disparity in access to quality mental health care between the whites and the BIPOC population in the US, is one too great to ignore. Research has shown that racial and ethnic minorities have significantly less access to mental health services than white people, and are less likely to receive proper care and treatment. The American Psychological Association reported that mental health issues predominantly affect racial and ethnic minorities who are more likely to experience income challenges, which also prevents them from gaining access to quality mental health care.

According to the US Department of Health and Human Services, Black Americans are more likely to report psychological distress. Studies have also shown that Black people have been found to have significantly higher rates of severe mental illnesses such as schizophrenia, in comparison to whites. In similar contrast, Black people are also more likely to report severe and disabling cases of depression.

It was also reported recently that depression and anxiety cases among Black Americans had risen since the death of George Floyd and the events occuring in its aftermath. The extent of this issue is a cause for grave concern - the most common conditions that increase risk of suicide are anxiety and depression.

It's well-established that minority groups - especially Black people - face a greater risk of mental health problems, but it's also safe to say that the lack of proper mental health care that still pervades these communities is influenced by racial bias.

Contributing Factors to Racial Disparities in Mental Health Care

The racial disparity in mental health care is heightened by a limited access to quality health care that exists in minority communities. This barrier is often caused by lack of insurance coverage, predominantly impacting Black people and people of color. For people with limited resources, taking time off work and paying for appointments or therapy sessions is often seen as a luxury that they cannot afford.

There's also a lack of qualified providers equipped to properly diagnose, manage and treat mental illnesses among Black people and other minorities. The diversity imbalance in the US mental health care system is one of the major barriers to obtaining quality treatment. For instance, the number of Black therapists in practice is simply not enough to deal with the growing rate of mental illness among Black Americans. Cultural differences that exist between providers and their patients can result in poor communication and consequently, poorer mental health outcomes.

Although the conversation about mental health in Black communities is growing steadily, the issue of stigma still exists, and is a contributing factor to the racial disparity that exists in the mental health care system. There is often perceived to be little need for mental health services among minorities, attributed to a number of factors including: a history of misdiagnosis and discrimination, high costs, lack of treatment options, provider bias, and a preference for community and faith-based options.

In some cases, the people who reach out for professional help shy away from speaking to other people about the benefits of therapy, for fear of being seen as being vulnerable or "weak" - a cardinal sin in a community that has needed to rely on strength for its very survival.

Generally, however, most factors that lead to inequality in mental health care are rooted in racial prejudice. Discrimination from health care providers and mental health institutions earns distrust from minorities and has far-reaching implications for the quality of mental health care that they end up receiving.

Bridging the Gap

Attaining racial equality in mental health care requires a collective effort from the mental health community. Education and awareness is the first step in changing the status quo. Providers should receive extensive training on the cultural differences involved in treating patients across diverse backgrounds - culturally responsive care. Paying attention to the specific needs of minority patients, and making sure that they get the care they need, will help in curbing the disparity in mental health care.

A number of organizations are attempting to spread awareness and eliminate the stigma of mental health amongst racial minorities, but these efforts are unlikely to be fully successful if a diverse workforce is not prioritized in the mental health care system. Encouraging diversity is the best way to build trust between providers and patients.

Increasing access to mental health care and improving the quality of care obtained by minorities can also be enhanced through policy efforts. One effective way to improve access is by integrating mental health care with primary health care services. Healthcare professionals and institutions can contribute in the fight against racial discrimination by supporting laws and policies designed to tackle these issues. In other words, vote as if your mental health depends on it.

By showing their open support for better mental health care, minorities who have suffered racial prejudice will be encouraged to seek positive ways to exercise their right to improved well-being and alleviate some of the mental anguish they have been and continue to be subjected to.

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Bridging the Gap of Racial Inequality in Mental Health Care | Talkspace

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Racial inequality in mental health care is real - it's present in the underfunded healthcare institutions in minority communities, in cases of misdiagnosed mental illnesses affecting Black Americans, the lack of culturally responsive care, and paucity of providers equipped to treat Black American.

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General Mental Health Data

Nearly 1 in 5 American adults will have a diagnosable mental health condition in any given year. [Source]

46 percent of Americans will meet the criteria for a diagnosable mental health condition sometime in their life, and half of those people will develop conditions by the age of 14. [Source]

Prevalence by Condition*

Overall

Number of US Adults with Mental Illness: 44 million [Source]

Percent of US Adults with Mental Illness: 18% [Source]

Anxiety

Lifetime prevalence of any Anxiety Disorder: 31.6% [Source]

Number of US Adults with Anxiety Disorders: 42.5 million [Source]

Anxiety disorders are among the most common mental illnesses in America

Addiction/Substance Use Disorder

Percent of US Adults with a Substance Use Disorder in the Past Year: 8% [Source]

Number of US Adults with a Substance Use Disorder in the Past Year: 19 million [Source]

Percent of Youth with a Substance Use Disorder in the Past Year: 4.6% [Source]

Number of Youth with a Substance Use Disorder in the Past Year: 1.1 million [Source]

Bipolar Disorder

Past year prevalence of Bipolar Disorder: 1.8% [Source]

Number of US Adults with Bipolar Disorder: 3.3 million [Source]

An estimated 2.5% of US adults experience bipolar disorder at some time in their lives. [Source]

Depression

Percent of US Adults with Major Depression: 7.1% [Source]

Number of US Adults with Depression: 17.3 million [Source]

Percent of Youth (aged 12-17) with Major Depression: 13% [Source]

Number of Youth (aged 12-17) with Major Depression: 3.1 million [Source]

Percent of Youth with Severe Depression: 9% [Source]

Number of Youth with Severe Depression: 2 million [Source]

Major depression is one of the most common mental illnesses. [Source]

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)

Percent of People (ages 13+) in US with PTSD (Lifetime prevalence): 5.7% [Source]

Percent of People (ages 13+) in US with PTSD (One year prevalence): 3.7% [Source]

Number of US Adults with PTSD: 12 million [Source]

Schizophrenia

Percent of US Adults with Schizophrenia: <1% [Source]

Number of US Adults with Schizophrenia: ~1.5 million [Source]

Suicidal Thoughts

Percent of US Adults with Suicidal Thoughts: 4% [Source]

Number of US Adults with Suicidal Thoughts: 9.8 million [Source]

*Only a few conditions or topics are represented here.
To learn more about other mental health conditions not specified here, visit:
Mental Health Information A-Z

Prevalence of Mental Health Conditions in Specific Populations

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 American/Alaskan Native Community

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.
Treatment

Percent of adults with mental illness who did not received any mental health treatment: 56% [Source]

Number of adults with mental illness who did not received any mental health treatment: 24.6 million [Source]

Percent of adults with mental Illness who report they try and can't get treatment: 20.6% [Source]

Number of adults with mental Illness who report they try and can't get treatment: 9 million [Source]

Percent of youth with depression who did not received any mental health treatment: 61.5% [Source]

Number of youths with depression who did not received any mental health treatment: 1.8 million [Source]

Percent of youth with severe depression who received some consistent treatment: 25% [Source]

Number of youths with severe depression who received some consistent treatment: 505,000 [Source]

Ratio of individuals in a state to available mental health providers: 504 to 1 [Source]

Insurance Coverage

Percent of US Adults with Mental Illness who are Uninsured: 12% [Source]

Number of US Adults with Mental Illness who are Uninsured: 5.3 million [Source]

Percent of youth with private insurance that did not cover mental or emotional problems: 7.8% [Source]

Number of youth with private insurance that did not cover mental or emotional problems: 910,000 [Source]

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Quick Facts and Statistics About Mental Health

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General Mental Health Data Nearly 1 in 5 American adults will have a diagnosable mental health condition in any given year. [Source] 46 percent of Americans will meet the criteria for a diagnosable mental health condition sometime in their life, and half of those people will develop conditions by the age of 14.

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Shaul's award-winning films have been screened at festivals across the globe, including Sundance. He is a regular contributor to TIME and National Geographic. His work has also appeared in numerous other major international publications.

When traditional treatments alone weren't providing relief for Jeff's severe and persistent anxiety and depression, he looked for a more holistic path. Jeff began training a golden retriever named Earl to be his mental health service dog, adding to his whole-person approach to wellness. Over time, Jeff realized the positive effect Earl had on himself and others and he launched Go Fetch Wellness, an organization dedicated to introducing others to how the human-animal bond can support their journey.

While pursuing her law degree and co-founding a non-profit organization, Lauren didn't know that learning to live well with bipolar II disorder would become part of her plan. However, after being diagnosed, she focused on her treatment plan, utilized her support network and worked closely with her health care professionals. Today, Lauren continues to dedicate her life to helping others and has now added the goal of showing that living with a mental health condition may be challenging, but dreams can still be achieved.

Lloyd is a father, certified peer specialist and the founder of RIDE 4 S.P.M.I. (Ride 4 Serious and Persistent Mental Illness), a 210-mile bike ride across South Carolina to raise awareness around mental illness. As someone living well with schizophrenia, Lloyd has devoted his life to sharing his story in the hopes that others will seek treatment and receive the help and support they need. Lloyd maintains his wellness by reading, writing short stories and poetry, spending time with his family and working with his personal and professional support system.

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Beyond Silence - The Be Vocal Documentary

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Shaul's award-winning films have been screened at festivals across the globe, including Sundance. He is a regular contributor to TIME and National Geographic. His work has also appeared in numerous other major international publications. When traditional treatments alone weren't providing relief for Jeff's severe and persistent anxiety and depression, he looked for a more holistic path.

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Mental health treatment can make a huge difference in a person's life. But many people who might benefit from mental health treatment aren't taking part in it. Why?

There are a number of reasons that a person might have trouble connecting to mental health care, or feel like they don't want to. Here are a few common barriers to care.

1. Lack of accessibility - Mental health care can be expensive, leaving many people unable to afford the cost of services. Health insurance barriers, lack of services being offered in their area, and transportation issues can also make mental health care less accessible.

2. Stigma - Stigma is negative stereotypes, labels, judgments, and prejudice towards people living with mental health conditions that can lead to discrimination. Many people have "self-stigma" too - feeling shame about their own mental health. Stigma can prevent a person from acknowledging their mental health journey and keep them from seeking mental health services.

3. Lack of knowledge about mental health services - There are a lot of different kinds of mental health support available, but not everyone knows that. Sometimes, bad past experiences in mental health settings, or the way that mental health treatment is portrayed in the media, can also make people less likely to seek services. Learn more about mental health treatment settings here.

4. Concerns about relating to the provider - Some people may worry that a particular therapist, hospital or support group may not be able to empathize with or understand their feelings and thoughts. It is important to keep in mind that it typically takes a few tries to find a mental health provider that is a good match.

5. Seeking help is too hard - Navigating the system of mental health services can be stressful and upsetting, especially in a difficult time. Someone may not know where to start or know what services they need. The NAMI Chicago Helpline is here to help out with all of this - call us at 833-626-4244.

6. Lack of insight - When having mental health symptoms, some people may have "lack of insight", meaning they are not aware of their own mental health journey and don't see themselves accurately. This can vary over time and can make it difficult for a person to seek treatment.

Looking for help finding mental health care? Call NAMI Chicago's Helpline at 833-626-4244. We're here 7 days a week to lend a listening ear and help you make a plan.

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Barriers to mental health care - NAMI Chicago

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Mental health treatment can make a huge difference in a person's life. But many people who might benefit from mental health treatment aren't taking part in it. Why? There are a number of reasons that a person might have trouble connecting to mental health care, or feel like they don't want to.

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Fact: Mental health issues can affect anyone. In 2020, about:

One in 5 American adults experienced a mental health condition in a given year

One in 6 young people have experienced a major depressive episode

One in 20 Americans have lived with a serious mental illness, such as schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, or major depression

Additionally, suicide is a leading cause of death in the United States. In fact, it was the second leading cause of death for people ages 10-24. Suicide has accounted for the loss of more than 45,979 American lives in 2020, nearly double the number of lives lost to homicide.

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Can you tell the difference between a mental health myth and fact? Learn the truth about the most common mental health myths and information to help destigmatize them.

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The barriers to mental healthcare access are significant issues facing many Americans. More than half of adults with mental illness in the U.S. do not receive mental healthcare treatment. That statistic alone is cause for concern. But mental health issues are far more common than most people realize. According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, 1 in 5 American adults have experienced a mental health issue, and 1 in 25 Americans live with a serious mental illness, such as schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, or major depression.

That's why news like Oklahoma's 2016 cuts to the Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services budget raised deep concerns for mental healthcare advocates, clinicians and patients. Barriers to mental healthcare access come with a high human cost: as one medical journalist explains, "The mentally ill who have nowhere to go and find little sympathy from those around them often land hard in emergency rooms, county jails and city streets. The lucky ones find homes with family. The unlucky ones show up in the morgue."

Making sure that individuals have access to mental healthcare can improve lives and communities. For many, it can dramatically reduce or eliminate the risk of suicide, legal issues, family conflict, employment issues, substance abuse, and further mental and physical health problems. In order to increase the use of mental healthcare services, we first have to understand what prevents people from accessing them in the first place.

1. Financial Barriers to Mental Healthcare

Even after the Affordable Care Act required medical insurers to provide coverage for behavioral and mental healthcare, the cost of treatment often limits access to mental health services. For many individuals, a lack of financial resources prevents them from seeking help at all. For others, a lack of financial resources can lead to inconsistent or inadequate treatment.

Even with insurance or financial assistance, mental healthcare services can be costly. Copays and deductibles add up quickly when a diagnosis requires regular therapy, complicated medication management or intensive treatment programs.

2. Lack of Mental Health Professionals

While the US is facing an overall shortage of doctors, the shortage of mental health professionals is steeper than any other category. According to the Health Resources and Services Administration, 89.3 million Americans live in federally-designated Mental Health Professional Shortage Areas (in contrast, only 55.3 million Americans live in similarly-designated primary-care shortage areas, and 44.6 million live in dental health shortage areas).

This overall shortage of healthcare providers is compounded by other factors. Rural areas often have few to no mental healthcare providers at all, let alone providers with specialties. Urban clinics and providers often have long waiting lists, and patients can suffer for months before they get a basic intake appointment.

To make matters worse, inadequate reimbursement from government and private insurance plans means fewer doctors are choosing mental health specialties in school, and some private clinicians are only accepting new patients who can pay out-of-pocket.

Those factors can make it very hard for someone to find affordable mental healthcare close enough to their home or work to get reliable and consistent treatment.

3. Mental Health Education and Awareness

Physical injuries and illnesses are typically obvious. They don't feel well, something hurts or some clinical test shows an abnormality. Mental illnesses, however, are often hard to recognize.

Often, symptoms are subtle and might be dismissed as "personality" or "attitude" issues. Clinical anxiety may be dismissed as "worrying too much," depression can often look like "laziness" or fatigue. Even serious conditions may not be obvious to the person suffering or those around them if they don't share their inner thoughts and feelings. Other times, people assume that their emotional or mental status is normal, not realizing that they are suffering from disordered thinking or clinical symptoms.

If a person doesn't know something is wrong, it's unlikely they will seek treatment.

4. The Social Stigma of Mental Health Conditions

Multiple studies have found that the stigma associated with mental illness often prevents people from accessing treatment.

At one end of the spectrum, their own beliefs about mental illness can prevent them from acknowledging their illness or sticking with treatment.

On the other end, the very real risk of facing discrimination in social and professional circles creates a huge barrier. People may fear that family and friends will avoid them or treat them negatively. They may also be concerned that the disclosure of a mental health condition can lead to negative treatment and perceptions at work.

5. Racial Barriers to Mental Healthcare Access

There are significant disparities in mental healthcare access among different racial and ethnic groups. A recent study looked at how the Affordable Care Act has impacted mental healthcare access. The study found that white people are the only racial group in which a majority of people with severe psychological distress get treatment. More than half of people facing severe mental illness who are Black, Hispanic or Asian don't get treatment.

Jeanne Miranda, a professor of psychiatry and biobehavioral sciences at UCLA explains, "Minorities are often more likely to be poor, less likely to be treated by doctors of their same race and, in many cases, less likely to know they have a condition that requires professional care."

Studies also suggest that doctors sometimes discriminate, declining to accept minority patients more often. At the same time, people are less likely to seek help if they think their doctor can't understand or empathize with their background or cultural differences and experiences.

Conclusion

Social Solutions is excited to see organizations and agencies taking the time to understand how these issues apply to the communities and individuals they serve. Understanding what prevents mental healthcare access opens the door to improving that access with better programs and policies. If your organization is ready to amplify your mental health programs, empower your mission and improve outcomes, check out how Apricot case management software can assist your health and human services organizations today.

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Top 5 Barriers to Mental Healthcare Access

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The barriers to mental healthcare access are significant issues facing many Americans. More than half of adults with mental illness in the U.S. do not receive mental healthcare treatment. That statistic alone is cause for concern. But mental health issues are far more common than most people realize. According to the U.S.

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If you or someone you know is considering suicide, please contact the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 988 or 1-800-273-TALK (8255), available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. All calls are confidential, and anyone can use this service.

Many college students experience symptoms of a serious mental health condition.

Depression and anxiety are common mental health conditions among students.

Resources are available to help students improve their mental health.

Mental health experts and researchers often use terms like "epidemic" and "crisis" to describe the mental health challenges many U.S. college students face these days.

In the Fall 2021 National College Health Assessment, about 30% of student respondents said anxiety negatively affected their academic performance. Furthermore, just over 1 in 5 students reported having been diagnosed with depression by a healthcare professional.

Mood disturbances represent just some of the mental health conditions many college students have. Other common challenges include suicide and suicidal ideation, eating disorders, and substance misuse.

This guide introduces the top five mental health challenges facing college students today, with advice on how to identify potential conditions and get support.

1. Depression

Depression is a mood disorder that involves persistent feelings of sadness, hopelessness, and loss of interest in previously enjoyable activities.

People going through a depressive episode may experience mood swings, sleep disturbances, appetite changes, and headaches and/or body pains with no apparent physical cause.

In the 2021 Healthy Minds Study, 22% of college students screened positive for major depression, and 41% screened positive for depression overall. This makes depression one of the most common mental health conditions among U.S. college students.

Symptoms of Depression

Symptoms of depression can vary depending on the person. The way one person exhibits signs of depression is not necessarily the same way symptoms may emerge in someone else.

According to the American Psychological Association, symptoms of depression can include:

Displaying some of these symptoms does not necessarily mean you're depressed. However, if you begin to experience these symptoms with some regularity, you should consider seeking professional help.

Signs That Someone May Have Depression

Everyone has off days when they feel overwhelmed or down about life. But when these days become weeks and simply getting out of bed becomes a struggle, such symptoms become cause for concern.

Here are some signs of depression to look for in peers, friends, and loved ones:

They're not enjoying activities they once loved

They no longer attend classes or social outings

They're experiencing extreme anger or sadness over a relationship in their life

They react negatively or with apathy to most things

They often talk about death or suicide

Words of encouragement can show that person you're a source of support. However, avoid telling someone to "cheer up" or "snap out of it." Many people experiencing depression are aware of their condition, and telling them to get over it is not helpful.

If you believe someone you know is at risk, gently encourage them to seek help and offer to accompany them to a student health center or doctor's appointment. Although talking through their challenges with you may be helpful, understand that this is not a substitute for professional treatment.

Signs That You May Have Depression

If you think you may have depression, ask yourself the following questions:

Have you experienced extreme sadness or hopelessness?

Does your family have a history of depression?

Have you turned to heavy drinking or drug use to relieve feelings of hopelessness?

Have you experienced invasive thoughts of death or suicide?

If you answered yes to any of the above questions, consider making an appointment with your primary healthcare provider or with someone at your student health center for a mental health assessment.

Resources for Depression

The following organizations are dedicated to providing resources and assistance to those living with depression:

2. Anxiety

Most college students experience anxiety from time to time. However, mounting or ongoing feelings of worry, tension, and panic can interfere with day-to-day life. When your daily life is disrupted, anxiety becomes a medical condition that needs treatment.

In a 2016 Pennsylvania State University study, 61% of survey respondents identified anxiety as a leading student mental health condition. And in the aforementioned Healthy Minds Study, 1 in 3 students screened positive for an anxiety disorder.

Below are some of the most common types of anxiety disorders:

Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD): This condition involves constant, severe anxiety that interferes with day-to-day activities.

Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD): People with OCD experience intrusive and unreasonable thoughts, fears, and obsessions that lead to repetitive behaviors and compulsions.

Panic Disorder: This condition is characterized by constant fearfulness and frequent, sudden attacks of terror and panic.

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD): PTSD usually develops after someone experiences or witnesses a traumatic event. However, individuals can also have trauma without suffering a major catastrophic event.

Social Anxiety Disorder: This mental health condition manifests as irrational anxiety, fear, self-consciousness, and embarrassment in everyday social interactions.

Symptoms of Anxiety

Symptoms of an anxiety disorder are often mistaken for everyday stress or written off as worrying too much.

Depending on how your body responds to increased levels of certain chemicals, panic attacks may be mistaken for a physical ailment, such as a heart attack or tension headache.

Common symptoms of anxiety can include:

Feelings of stress, restlessness, apprehension, or fearfulness

Irritability

Trouble concentrating

Excessive sweating and dizziness

Shortness of breath

Muscle pain and tension

Headaches

Frequent upset stomach or diarrhea

The exact causes of anxiety aren't fully understood but may include a combination of genetics, naturally occurring brain chemicals, life experiences, and stress.

Signs That Someone May Have Anxiety

Brief, occasional feelings of anxiety or anxiety-driven behaviors do not automatically indicate a mental health condition. If, however, anxious feelings persist, interfere with your daily life or functioning, or begin to manifest as obsessive behaviors with an overwhelming sense of fear, it may be time to seek help.

Someone you know may have an anxiety disorder if they display one or more of the following behaviors:

Refrain from criticizing or belittling the severity of someone's symptoms and encourage them to try coping strategies that avoid causing further anxiety. You might also encourage your friend or peer to visit campus mental health services so they can talk with a professional.

Signs That You May Have Anxiety

If you suspect you may have an anxiety disorder, here are some questions to ask yourself:

Are you experiencing anxious or worrisome thoughts on a daily basis?

Are you plagued by fears others may find unfounded or irrational?

Do you avoid everyday social activities because they cause you anxiety?

Do you experience sudden, heart-pounding panic attacks?

Is your anxiety interfering with your school work, job, and/or relationships?

If you answered yes to any of the above questions, consider visiting your primary healthcare provider or someone at your student health center for a mental health assessment.

Resources for Anxiety

The following organizations are excellent resources for students with anxiety disorders:

3. Suicidal Ideation and Intent

Suicidal ideation is defined as a pattern of thinking about or planning one's own death by one's own hand. Generally, mental health professionals consider overwhelming or highly detailed suicidal thoughts a mental health emergency.

A 2018 study by Harvard Medical School researchers found that 1 in 5 U.S. college students experienced thoughts of suicide. More recently, the 2021 Healthy Minds Study reported that 5% of student respondents had planned to commit suicide (without making an attempt) in the past year.

Signs of Suicidal Ideation in Others

Many students experience stress, frustration, and doubt, but sometimes those thoughts gain an intense momentum that brings students to a place where they may seriously consider ending their lives.

Signs of suicidal ideation differ from person to person. According to ADAA, common warning signs can appear in a person's speech, mood, and/or behavior. These include:

Speech: People considering suicide may talk about feeling trapped, feeling as if they're a burden to others, feeling as if they have no reason to go on, and/or wanting to end their lives.

Mood: Signs of suicidal ideation and intent in someone can manifest in a variety of moods, including anxiety, irritability, loss of interest in activities they enjoyed previously, humiliation, rage, and depression.

Behavior: Those considering suicide may exhibit specific behaviors, including giving away prized possessions, withdrawing from friends and family, inexplicably visiting people to tell them goodbye, and searching online for information about how to commit suicide. They may also sleep poorly or too often, behave recklessly, act aggressively, and/or increase their use of drugs and alcohol.

If you notice any of the behaviors listed above in a classmate, friend, or family member, it's important to talk to them about your concerns as soon as possible. They could be in a fragile state, so make sure to approach them with patience and kindness.

In addition to encouraging them to see a mental health professional, you can and should give them the tools to help themselves. Advise them to save the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline phone number - 988 or 1-800-273-8255 - in their phone. (And save this in your phone, as well.)

If you're unsure how to approach someone who may be experiencing suicidal ideation, you can consult online suicide prevention programs, like Crisis Connections, for advice.

Signs of Suicidal Ideation in Yourself

Suicidal thoughts often stem from a preexisting mental health condition. Depression, which can cause distorted thinking, sometimes leads to suicidal thoughts. Feeling utterly overwhelmed and helpless due to anxiety can also result in suicidal thoughts.

If you're thinking about ending your life, tell a friend or loved one. You should also contact your mental health center as soon as possible.

Remember that crisis services are available. Don't hesitate to call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 988 or 1-800-273-8255 if you're experiencing peristent thoughts of suicide.

Suicide is a preventable tragedy. There are people out there who care and want to help you.

Suicide Prevention Resources

Many suicide prevention resources are available online and at campus health centers. Here are some organizations that specialize in mental health and suicide prevention:

Learn More

4. Eating Disorders

Eating disorders cover a variety of conditions marked by major irregularities in eating habits and an intense preoccupation with one's body image or shape. These disorders can involve both food deprivation and binge eating, which may be followed by purging.

Data shows that around 11-17% of female college students and 4% of male college students in the U.S. screen positive for clinical eating disorder symptoms.

Here are some examples of common eating disorders:

Anorexia Nervosa: Characterized by an unhealthy fixation on thinness, a distorted body image, and fears of gaining weight, this disorder commonly results in emaciation and has one of the highest mortality rates among mental health conditions.

Bulimia Nervosa: Bulimia nervosa involves recurrent and frequent episodes of eating unusually large amounts of food, followed by behavior that compensates for binging, like purging, fasting, or overexercising.

Binge Eating Disorder: Binge eating disorder is characterized by constant cravings that occur any time of day and result in overeating. This disorder is often associated with poor body image and low self-esteem.

Symptoms of an Eating Disorder

The signs and symptoms of eating disorders can vary significantly. Many depend on the mental state of the individual with the disorder.

However, there are several red flags that are common factors for anorexia, bulimia, and binging, such as the following:

Distorted or poor body image

Excessive exercise

Irregular heartbeat

Dehydration

Feeling like your eating is out of control

Fear of eating in public

Constantly making excuses for eating habits

Eating disorders can be life-threatening and contribute to serious health issues if not treated properly, such as kidney failure, heart problems, stunted growth, loss of menstruation, and failure of the reproductive system.

Signs That Someone May Have an Eating Disorder

We all have days when our self-image isn't at its best. Remember that experiencing a few negative episodes doesn't necessarily mean you or someone has an eating disorder.

Nevertheless, when random complaints about weight become all a friend or loved one can focus on, or if you notice they've started skipping meals or binging on junk food and then feeling guilty afterward, it may be time to act.

Here are some signs to look for when you suspect someone you know has an eating disorder:

Are they skipping meals or only eating small portions of food?

Are they suddenly uninterested in foods they once loved?

Are they limiting their meals to foods very low in calories?

Are they taking diet pills excessively or medication that suppresses hunger, such as Adderall or Ritalin?

Do they disappear suddenly to the restroom after meals?

Do their teeth appear noticeably stained?

Are they using mints after trips to the bathroom or perfume to mask the smell of vomit?

Do they appear preoccupied with their body, appearance, and/or weight?

Do they exercise excessively or have trouble taking rest days from exercise?

If you answered yes to any of these questions, your peer, friend, or loved one could have an eating disorder. If you need help approaching them about your concerns, consult the National Eating Disorders Association for advice.

Signs That You May Have an Eating Disorder

Worried you may have or be developing an eating disorder? Here are some questions to ask yourself:

Do you refuse to eat food or skip meals?

Do you fear eating out in public with others?

Do you count calories out of a need for control?

Do you follow strict eating habits that you feel guilty and ashamed for breaking?

Are you obsessed or dissatisfied with your weight or body shape?

Do you find yourself eating large amounts of food and then purging, making yourself vomit, or feeling like you have to do something (e.g., exercise) to compensate for the food you just ate?

Have you noticed excessive hair growth on your arms and face or the loss of your period?

If you answered yes to any of these questions, seek treatment. Eating disorders can become life-threatening, and it's important you receive help as soon as possible.

Eating Disorder Resources

If you need guidance to help a friend or yourself through an eating disorder, or if you want to understand more about eating disorders in general, these resources are a good place to start:

5. Substance Misuse

College students frequently use alcohol and recreational drugs, which can become problematic.

Substance misuse describes a tangible pattern of physical and/or psychological dependence on one or more substances. This condition typically entails strong cravings and indulgence in substance misuse, despite knowing the risks and harms of this behavior.

According to Addiction Center, about one-third of U.S. college students report symptoms of alcohol misuse. What's more, a 2018 survey from the National Institute on Drug Abuse found that 15% of male college students and 9% of female college students misused Adderall, a drug commonly used to treat ADHD.

College students have also been found to misuse drugs like marijuana, ecstasy, cocaine, and prescription painkillers at high rates.

Symptoms of Substance Misuse

Many students who use alcohol and drugs in college do not develop an addiction. However, they can still feel the side effects of withdrawal or prolonged use of these substances.

Here are some of the most common symptoms of substance misuse:

Slurred speech, bloodshot eyes, or impaired coordination

Fear, anxiety, or paranoia for no apparent reason

Prone to suspicious behaviors (e.g., frequently getting into fights or getting into trouble with the law)

A sudden need for money or a financial crisis

High tolerance for alcohol and/or drug use (in other words, the person may need to use more and more of a substance to obtain the same effects)

Deterioration of physical appearance, such as weight loss or gain, and changes in personal grooming habits

A sudden change in friends, activities, or hobbies

If you're experiencing one or more of these symptoms, you may be at risk of developing a substance use disorder. Genetics can contribute to your likelihood of developing an addiction, especially if your family has a history of alcohol or drug misuse.

Signs That Someone May Have a Substance Use Disorder

It's not always clear when alcohol or drug use has turned from recreational to habitual. Friends and loved ones who don't want to admit they have a problem may use tactics that evade and undermine your concerns.

If you suspect someone may have a substance use disorder, ask yourself the following questions:

Those who misuse drugs or alcohol often conceal their symptoms or downplay their addiction. As such, it's important that you express your concerns as soon as you notice the warning signs.

When the person is sober, tell them you've noticed their excessive drug or alcohol use. Emphasize the positive sober behaviors you admire and the destructive behaviors they display when drunk or high that concern you.

Refrain from being accusatory or judgmental, as this might cause them to withdraw and further ignore their issues. Offer to go with them to seek treatment at your student health center and help them find resources to support them.

Signs That You May Have a Substance Use Disorder

Ask yourself the following questions if you think you may be exhibiting signs of substance misuse:

If you answered yes to any of these questions, make an appointment to see your healthcare provider right away. Substance misuse should be taken seriously and treated under the guidance of a professional.

Substance Misuse Resources

The following resources can teach you more about the signs and causes of substance misuse, as well as how to get help for yourself or someone you know:
DISCLAIMER: The information provided on this website is not intended or implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment; instead, all information, content, and materials available on this site are for general informational purposes only. Readers of this website should consult with their physician to obtain advice with respect to any medical condition or treatment.

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Top 5 Mental Health Challenges Facing Students | BestColleges

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Learn the signs and symptoms of the most common mental health conditions among college students, and find resources for support.

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If You're Not White It's Harder To Get Mental Health Care

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Why It’s So Hard To Get Mental Health Care | Patriot Act with Hasan Minhaj | Netflix

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5 Ways The U.S. Mental Health Care System Is In Crisis

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Here's why our mental healthcare system is jacked up. Subscribe for more videos: http://www.youtube.com/channel/UCV3Nm3T-XAgVhKH9jT0ViRg?sub_confirmation=1 Like us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ajplusenglish Download the AJ+ app at http://www.ajplus.net/ Follow us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/ajplus

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Health disparities are preventable differences in the burden of disease, injury, violence, or opportunities to achieve optimal health that are experienced by socially disadvantaged populations.1

Despite significant progress in research, practice, and policy, disparities in youth health risk behaviors persist. Populations can be defined by factors such as race or ethnicity, gender, education or income, disability, geographic location (e.g., rural or urban), or sexual orientation.

Health disparities are inequitable and are directly related to the historical and current unequal distribution of social, political, economic, and environmental resources.

Health disparities result from multiple factors, including

Poverty

Environmental threats

Inadequate access to health care

Individual and behavioral factors

Educational inequalities

The Education-Health Disparities Link

Health disparities are related to inequities in education. Dropping out of school is associated with multiple social and health problems. ²⁻³ Overall, individuals with less education are more likely to experience a number of health risks, such as obesity, substance abuse, and intentional and unintentional injury, compared with individuals with more education. ⁴ Higher levels of education are associated with a longer life and an increased likelihood of obtaining or understanding basic health information and services needed to make appropriate health decisions. ⁵⁻⁷

At the same time, good health is associated with academic success. Higher levels of protective health behaviors and lower levels of health risk behaviors are been associated with higher academic grades among high school students. ⁸

Health risks such as teenage pregnancy, poor dietary choices, inadequate physical activity, physical and emotional abuse, substance abuse, and gang involvement have a significant impact on how well students perform in school. ⁹⁻¹³

Addressing Adolescent Health Disparities

The mental health of LGBTQ+ youth is worsening.

The Youth Risk Behavior Data Summary & Trends Report: 2011- 2021 brought into clear focus the level of distress many youth are experiencing. Of serious concern is that LGBQ+ youth are experiencing especially high rates of poor mental health.

Schools are a vital lifeline to help students struggling with their mental health. Research has shown that when youth feel connected, they do better not just in adolescence, but into adulthood. When schools focus on creating safe and supportive environments that support LGBQ+ youth, all youth have improved mental health outcomes.

When schools implement CDC's What Works In Schools program, we see improvements in student mental health.

In 2021, CDC found that-

69% of LGBQ+ students experienced persistent feelings of sadness or hopelessness.

45% of LGBQ+ students seriously considered attempting suicide.

These percentages are higher than those of their heterosexual peers.

The What Works In Schools program supports schools in creating safer and more supportive environments that protect student mental health, while also supporting quality health education and connecting students to needed health services.

1. CDC. Community Health and Program Services (CHAPS): Health Disparities Among Racial/Ethnic Populations. Atlanta: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services; 2008

2. McCarty C, Mason W, Kosterman R, Hawkins J, Lengua L, McCauley E. Adolescent school failure predicts later depression among girls. Journal of Adolescent Health 2008;43:180-187.

3. Ellickson P, Saner H, McGuigan K. Profiles of violent youth: substance use and concurrent problems. American Journal of Public Health 1997;87(6):985-991.4

4. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Healthy People 2010 Objectives: Educational and Community Based Programs; 2000.

5. Liao Y, McGee D, Kaufman J, Cao G, Cooper R. Socioeconomic status and morbidity in the last years of life. American Journal of Public Health 1999;89(4):569-572.

6. Jemal A, Thun M, Ward E, Henley J, Cokkinides V, Murray T. Mortality from leading causes by education and race in the United States, 2001. American Journal of Preventive Medicine 2008;34(1):1-8.e7.

7. Breese P, Burman W, Goldberg S, Weis S. Education level, primary language, and comprehension of the informed consent process. Journal of Empirical Research on Human Research Ethics 2007;2(4):69-79.

8. Rasberry CN, Tiu GF, Kann L, McManus T, Michael SL, Merlo CL, Lee SM, Bohm MK, Annor F, Ethier K. Health-related behaviors and academic achievement among high school students-United States, 2015. MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep 2917;66:922-927.

9. Choi Y. Academic achievement and problem behaviors among Asian Pacific Islander American adolescents. Journal of Youth Adolescence 2007;(36)4:403-415.

10. Stuart S, Sachs M, Lidicker J, Brett S, Wright A, Libonati J. Decreased scholastic achievement in overweight middle school students. Obesity 2008;16(7):1535-1538.

11. Valois RF, MacDonald JM, Bretous L, Fischer MA, Drane JW. Risk factors and behaviors associated with adolescent violence and aggression. American Journal of Health Behavior 2002;26(6):454-464.

12. Chomitz V, Slining M, McGowan R, Mitchell S, Dawson G, Hacker K. Is there a relationship between physical fitness and academic achievement? Positive results from public school children in the Northeastern United States. Journal of School Health 2009;79(1):30-37.

13. Field T, Diego M, Sanders CE. Exercise is positively related to adolescents' relationships and academics. Adolescence 2001;36(141):105-110.

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Health disparities are preventable differences in the burden of disease, injury, violence, or opportunities to achieve optimal health that are experienced by socially disadvantaged populations..

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Racial disparities, or unfair differences, within the system of mental health are well documented. Research indicates that compared with people who are white, black, indigenous and people of color (BIPOC) are:

Less likely to have access to mental health services

Less likely to seek out services

Less likely to receive needed care

More likely to receive poor quality of care

More likely to end services prematurely

Regarding racial disparities in misdiagnosis, black men, for example, are overdiagnosed with schizophrenia (four times more likely than white men to be diagnosed), while underdiagnosed with posttraumatic stress disorder and mood disorders. Additionally, concerns are compounded by the fact that for BIPOC, mental health care is often provided in prisons, which infers a multitude of issues.

BIPOC are overrepresented in the criminal justice system, as the system overlays race with criminality. Statistics show that over 50% of those incarcerated have mental health concerns. This suggests that rather than receiving treatment for mental illness, BIPOC end up incarcerated because of their symptoms. In jails and prisons, the standard of care for mental health treatment is generally low, and prison practices themselves are often traumatic.

The vast majority of mental health treatment providers in the United States are white. For example, approximately 86% of psychologists are white, and less than 2% of American Psychological Association members are African American. Some research has demonstrated that provider bias and stereotyping are relevant factors in health disparities. For nearly four decades, the mental health field has been called to focus on increasing cultural competency training, which has focused on the examination of provider attitudes/beliefs and increasing cultural awareness, knowledge and skills.

Despite such efforts, racial disparities still exist even after controlling for factors such as income, insurance status, age, and symptom presentation.Established barriers for BIPOC are the following:

Different cultural perceptions about mental illness, help-seeking behaviors and well-being

Racism and discrimination

Greater vulnerability to being uninsured, access barriers, and communication barriers

Fear and mistrust of treatment

In addition to emphasizing culturally competent services, other recommendations to bridging the gaps and addressing barriers have largely focused on diversifying workforces and reducing stigma of mental illness in communities of color.

One area not often noted is the historical (and traumatic) context of systemic racism within the institution of mental health, although it is well known that race and insanity share a long and troubled past. This focus may begin to account for how racial differences shape treatment encounters, or a lack thereof, even when barriers are controlled for and the explicit races of the provider and client are not at issue.
Historical context
In the United States, scientific racism was used to justify slavery to appease the moral opposition to the Atlantic slave trade. Black men were described as having "primitive psychological organization," making them "uniquely fitted for bondage."

Benjamin Rush, often referred to as the "father of American psychiatry" and a signer of the Declaration of Independence, described "Negroes as suffering from an affliction called Negritude." This "disorder" was thought to be a mild form of leprosy in which the only cure was to become white. Ironically Rush was a leading mental health reformer and co-founder of the first anti-slavery society in America. Rush did observe, however, that "the Africans become insane, we are told, in some instances, soon after they enter upon the toils of perpetual slavery in the West Indies."

In 1851, prominent American physician Samuel Cartwright defined "drapetomania" as a treatable mental illness that caused black slaves to flee captivity. He stated that the disorder was a consequence of slave masters who "made themselves too familiar with the slaves, treating them as equals." Cartwright used the Bible as support for his position, stating that slaves needed to be kept in a submissive state and treated like children to both prevent and cure them from running away. Treatment included "whipping the devil out of them" as a preventative measure if the warning sign of "sulky and dissatisfied without cause" was present. Remedy included the removal of big toes to make running a physical impossibility.

Cartwright also described "dysaethesia aethiopica," an alleged mental illness that was the proposed cause of laziness, "rascality" and "disrespect for the master's property" among slaves. Cartwright claimed that the disorder was characterized by symptoms of lesions or insensitivity of the skin and "so great a hebetude [mental dullness or lethargy] of the intellectual faculties, as to be like a person half asleep." Undoubtedly, whipping was prescribed as treatment. Furthermore, according to Cartwright dysaethesia aethiopica was more prevalent among "free negroes."

The claim that those who were free suffered mental illness at higher rates than those who were enslaved was not unique to Cartwright. The U.S. census made the same claim, and this was used as a political weapon against abolitionists, although the claim was found to be based on flawed statistics.

Even at the turn of the 20th century, leading academic psychiatrists claimed that "negroes" were "psychologically unfit" for freedom. And as late as 1914, drapetomania was listed in the Practical Medical Dictionary.

Furthermore, after slavery was abolished, Southern states embraced the criminal justice system as a means of racial control. "Black codes" led to the imprisonment of unprecedented numbers of black men, women and children, who were returned to slavery-like conditions through forced labor and convict leasing that lasted well into the 20th century.

Scientific racism early on indicates motives of control and containment for profitability. Leading health professionals propagated the idea that blacks were "less than" to justify exploitation and experimentation. The mislabeling of behavior, such as escaping slavery, as a byproduct of mental illness did not stop there. Significant transformations in defining mental illness also occurred in the civil rights era, suggesting that institutional racism becomes more powerful in the context of moments of heightened racial tensions in the collective social consciousness.

Prior to the civil rights movement, schizophrenia was described as a largely white, docile and generally harmless condition. Mainstream magazines from the 1920s to the 1950s connected schizophrenia to neurosis and, as a result, attached the term to middle-class housewives.

Assumptions about the race, gender and temperament of schizophrenia changed beginning in the 1960s. The American public and the scientific community began to increasingly describe schizophrenia as a violent social disease, even as psychiatry took its first steps toward defining schizophrenia as a disorder of biological brain function. Growing numbers of research articles asserted that the disorder manifested by rage, volatility and aggression, and was a condition that afflicted "Negro men." The cause of urban violence was now due to "brain dysfunction," and the use of psychosurgery to prevent outbreaks of violence was recommended by leading neuroscientists.

Researchers further conflated the symptoms of black individuals with perceived schizophrenia of civil rights protests. In a 1968 article in the esteemed Archives of General Psychiatry, schizophrenia was described as a "protest psychosis" in which black men developed "hostile and aggressive feelings" and "delusional anti-whiteness" after listening to or aligning with activist groups such as Black Power, the Black Panthers or the Nation of Islam. The authors wrote that psychiatric treatment was required because symptoms threatened black men's own sanity as well as the social order of white America.

Advertisements for new pharmacological treatments for schizophrenia in the 1960s and 1970s reflected similar themes. An ad for the antipsychotic Haldol depicted angry black men with clenched fists in urban scenes with the headline: "Assaultive and belligerent?" At the same time, mainstream white media was describing schizophrenia as a condition of angry black masculinity or warning of crazed black schizophrenic killers on the loose. A category of paranoid schizophrenia for black males was created, while casting women, neurotics and other nonthreatening individuals into other expanded categories of mood disorders.

The black psyche was increasingly portrayed as unwell, immoral and inherently criminal. This helped justify the need for police brutality in the civil rights movement, Jim Crow laws, and mass incarceration in prisons and psychiatric hospitals, which at times was an exceedingly thin line. In general, attempts to rehabilitate took a back seat to structural attempts to control. Some state hospitals, presided over by white male superintendents, employed unlicensed doctors to administer massive amounts of electroshock and chemical "therapies," and put patients to work in the fields. Deplorable conditions went unchallenged as late as 1969 in some states.

Deinstitutionalization, a government policy of closing state psychiatric hospitals and instead funding community mental health centers, began in 1955. Over the next four decades, most state hospitals were closed, discharging those with mental illness and permanently reducing the availability of long-term inpatient care facilities. Currently, there are more than three times as many people with serious mental illnesses in jails and prisons than in hospitals. The shifts in defining what constitutes mental health reflects the reality that the definition is shaped by social, political and, ultimately, institutional factors in addition to chemical or biological ones.
Conclusion
Looking at the historical and systemic context of the mental health system may provide insight into why racial disparities continue to exist and why these disparities have been resistant to interventions such as cultural competency training and standardized diagnostic tools. Focusing primarily on the race of the provider and the client, while valid, is an approach that does not consider the system itself, the functions of the diagnosis, and its structurally developed links to protest, resistance, racism and other associations that work against the therapeutic connection.

Racial concerns, including overt racism at times, were written into the mental health system in ways that are invisible to us now. Understanding the past enables new ways of addressing current implications and identified barriers, including how schizophrenia became a "black disease," why prisons emerged where hospitals once stood, and how racial disparities continue to exist in the mental health system today.
***** Additional resources *****
Tahmi Perzichilli is a licensed professional clinical counselor and licensed alcohol and drug counselor working as a psychotherapist in private practice in Minneapolis. Contact her at tperzichilli@gmail.com.
***** Opinions expressed and statements made in articles appearing on CT Online should not be assumed to represent the opinions of the editors or policies of the American Counseling Association.

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The historical roots of racial disparities in the mental health system - Counseling Today

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Understanding the past enables new ways of addressing current implications and identified barriers, including how schizophrenia became a "black disease," why prisons emerged where hospitals once stood, and how racial disparities continue to exist in the mental health system today.

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Racial/ethnic, gender, and sexual minorities often suffer from poor mental health outcomes due to multiple factors including inaccessibility of high quality mental health care services, cultural stigma surrounding mental health care, discrimination, and overall lack of awareness about mental health.

The following factsheets provide a snapshot of the current state of mental health of minority populations and some factors that may contribute to mental health disparities among these groups.

Most racial/ethnic minority groups overall have similar - or in some cases, fewer - mental disorders than whites. However, the consequences of mental illness in minorities may be long lasting.

Rates of mental illnesses in African Americans are similar with those of the general population. However, disparities exist in regard to mental health care services.

Research indicates that American Indian/Alaska Native populations have disproportionately higher rates of mental health problems than the general US population. Some of these mental health problems have been directly linked to the intergenerational historical trauma forced upon this population.

Appalachian people experience disproportionately adverse living conditions, when compared to the nation. Appalachian counties are over-represented in the nation's worst quintile for four of the five measures of social determinants of health.

Research shows that 2.7 million Asian Americans/Pacific Islanders have a mental and/or substance use disorder (SUD). But several cultural and structural barriers prevent Asian Americans/Pacific Islanders from accessing mental health services.

Bisexual individuals are at increased risk of adverse health outcomes (e.g., mental health, substance use, and sexual health problems) compared with monosexual (heterosexual and gay/lesbian) individuals. Though there are several reasons for these disparities, a significant contributor is a stress that is related to stigma and discrimination.

Gay men experience adverse mental health outcomes including mood disorders, substance use and suicide more frequently than heterosexual men. They also face additional barriers to accessing mental health treatment.

While many Hispanics/Latinos have lived in the U.S. for many generations, others are recent immigrants who are at risk of facing inequities in socioeconomic status, education, and access to mental health care services.

LGBTQ individuals are more than twice as likely as heterosexual men and women to have a mental health disorder in their lifetime.

Nearly one-third of Muslim Americans perceived discrimination in healthcare settings; being excluded or ignored was the most frequently conveyed type of discrimination. Religious discrimination against Muslims is associated with depression, anxiety, subclinical paranoia, and alcohol use.

When applied in an affirming manner, queer is often used as an umbrella term to describe sexual orientation or gender identity that does not conform to dominant societal norms (e.g., straight/heterosexual and cisgender). Like other minority groups, including the LGBT community, questioning and queer people are often misunderstood, overlooked, and underrepresented in the health care system and societal institutions (e.g., media).

Worldwide, over 65 million persons are currently displaced by war, armed conflict, or persecution, the majority of whom are located in low- and lower-middle-income countries. Globally, half of the refugees live in unstable and insecure situations.

Research has identified disparities between women and men in regard to risk, prevalence, presentation, course, and treatment of mental disorders.

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Mental Health Disparities: Diverse Populations

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Racial/ethnic, gender, and sexual minorities often suffer from poor mental health outcomes due to multiple factors including inaccessibility of high quality mental health care services, cultural stigma surrounding mental health care, discrimination, and overall lack of awareness about mental health.