Stigma and the Reluctance to Address Mental Health Issues in Minority Communities

Abstract

Health disparities are a serious problem for members of minority communities in the United States. Disparities do not only lead to negative influences and inequities in the outcomes from serious physical health problems (such as cancer, heart disease, HIV/AIDS, and diabetes) for members of minority communities, but also lead to significant problems with outcomes from serious mental health conditions (including stress-related, manic-depressive, and psychotic disorders, as well as suicidal tendencies) for ethnic and racial minority group members in the US. While current epidemiological evidence suggests that the actual rates of incidence of mental health problems is not significantly different across different racial and ethnic groups in the US, research shows that many minority groups, especially African Americans and Latino Americans, seek and receive treatments for mental health problems at a much lower rate than the general population, resulting in many unmet needs for mental health care and poorer mental health outcomes. This article examines the role of communication in leading to serious mental health disparities for members of minority groups in the US, as well as how communication research and intervention can help reduce these serious disparities.