National Minority Mental Health Awareness Month

July is National Minority Mental Health Awareness Month. This month helps to bring awareness to the unique challenges that racial and ethnic minorities face when it comes to mental illness.

In 2020, fewer than one in every two African American adults got care for mental health. In 2018, Asian Americans were 60 percent less likely to receive mental health treatment than non-Hispanic Whites. Obstacles for many minorities include inaccessible healthcare, cultural stigmas, structural barriers such as poverty, racism, discrimination, reliance on other coping mechanisms, and fear.

The potency of the stigma of mental illness appears to be the core reason why some ethnic minority group members who would benefit from mental health services elect not to seek or adequately participate in treatment. Some people in minority communities may still act frightened or apathetic if someone has a mental health illness.

The perceived stigma of mental illness has been changing in minority communities. Hope is on the horizon as resources become more widely available and future generations are beginning to break down cultural and generational stigmas surrounding mental health.

Millennials and Gen Z are seeking mental health services and feeling more comfortable discussing emotional struggles and trauma. Modern outlets like social media and podcasts are driving this shift. The stigma is continuing to be broken down by many minority celebrities, athletes, politicians, and professionals. They have been open about dealing with and overcoming the struggles of mental illness. They include Mariah Carey, Naomi Osaha, Alicia Keys, Simone Biles, and Kanye West.

Florida Health Care Plans' dedicated behavioral health team covers six locations and is comprised of psychiatrists, nurses, psychotherapists, medical assistants, doctors, addiction professionals, and a crisis management team. We are committed to delivering compassionate, professional, and individualized care to meet you and your family’s behavioral healthcare needs. Our goal is to support you on your journey toward wellness.

To learn more about our behavioral health services, click here.

About Florida Health Care Plans

Founded in 1974, Florida Health Care Plans (FHCP) is a pioneering provider of health insurance plans and comprehensive health care services available to individuals, families, employers, and Medicare-eligible individuals.

Headquartered in Daytona Beach, FHCP was the first federally qualified Health Maintenance Organization (HMO) in Florida and the second federally qualified HMO in the Nation. As a community-based healthcare provider, FHCP offers members access to primary and multispecialty care, on-site pharmacies and labs, radiology, ultrasound, and other services at its integrated care centers located throughout Brevard, Flagler, St. Johns, Seminole, and Volusia Counties.

An affiliate of Florida Blue and part of the GuideWell family of health solutions companies, FHCP carries an A+ (Superior) Financial Strength Rating from AM Best. FHCP is an independent licensee of the Blue Cross Blue Shield Association.

For additional information, visit www.FHCP.com. For the latest news and content, visit the FHCP Newsroom and follow FHCP on Facebook, LinkedIn, Instagram @floridahealthcareplans, and X (formerly Twitter) @myFHCP.