Time to break the silence to improve mental health care for Black Floridians

Addressing mental health care is a nationwide problem. But Florida is special in this regard, and not in a good way.

In 2023, Mental Health America, a national nonprofit, created a ranking system for access to mental health care across our country. It found that out of the 50 states, and including the District of Columbia, Florida ranked 46th in mental health care accessibility.

But while that is a staggering statistic on its own, consider this: In 2020, Florida ranked No. 40 for mental health care accessibility – which means that over the past three years, several states that once lagged behind Florida are now surpassing it in providing access.

This is particularly a challenge for Black Floridians – and especially so when you consider that across the United States as a whole, only 1 in 3 Black adults will seek treatment for a condition related to mental health. Unfortunately, there are many real barriers to mental health for this group, and they include the following:

● Stigma: Too many Black adults, and especially older individuals, still view mental health challenges as a consequence of personal weakness.

● Socioeconomic status: Slightly more than 10% of Black adults have no form of health insurance. If someone cannot afford to obtain the care necessary to help with their mental illness, they will not seek treatment.

● Medical mistrust: There is a significant lack of trust among many Black Americans for the medical community. This is largely due to past experiences where Black communities have faced obstacles preventing them from having equal access to care.

● Misdiagnosis: Many Black individuals describe their personal mental health issues in ways that emphasize the physical symptoms associated with those problems; for example, some who may be confronting depression may focus on the body aches and pains they are also experiencing. Sadly, some health care professionals lack the cultural sensibilities needed to understand this, and that may lead to misdiagnosing a Black individual’s mental health issues as merely being physical concerns.

So how do we break down these barriers and ensure that we can all obtain the support and treatment we need? The first step is to courageously acknowledge you need help. Once you decide it’s time to seek professional support, here are some things to consider:

● While only 6.2% of psychologists, 5.6% of advanced-practice psychiatric nurses and 12.6% of social workers are members of minority groups. people of color must not let such a lack of representation deter them from seeking help.

● You can research local BIPOC providers in your area, and local community and faith organizations may have a list of available mental health care providers.

● If you have a primary care physician that you are already comfortable with, consult with them on possible mental health care options.

● When meeting with a mental health care provider for the first time, ask questions to get a snapshot of their level of cultural awareness.

● Consider local companies with in-person and telehealth options. This can greatly expand your network of potential mental health care providers that are able to meet your needs.

When embarking on your mental health journey, it is critical to remember that you are not alone. All of us in Florida must work together to help break the stigma and ensure that every person – of every background – can receive the help they need.