Mental Health in Marginalized Groups
We can’t talk about mental healthcare without acknowledging that marginalized groups are affected differently and at higher rates than their counterparts. Black, Hispanic, mixed-race, and LGBTQ+ communities are more susceptible to stressors that increase the risk for mental health issues. Some of these stressors include:
- Financial strain
- Unemployment
- Loss of a loved one
- Severe illness or death
- The stigma associated with certain illnesses
- Obstacles in accessing necessary care
- Lack of or insufficient health insurance
- Lack of racial and ethnic diversity among healthcare providers
- Lack of culturally competent healthcare
- First-hand experience of racial discrimination
- Witnessing or hearing about bias or prejudice from others in the media
- Racial trauma
The YMCA Provides Mental Health Resources for Diverse Communities
The Y is committed to providing mental health resources and information that considers all our communities’ unique identities and stressors. Below are some available resources that can provide culturally competent and in-language support for Black, Hispanic, Asian, Indian, immigrant, and LGBTQ+ youth.
Culturally Competent Mental Health Resources
Finding a culturally competent provider is the first step for young people with marginalized identities. In addition, a culturally competent provider can provide more significant support related to your cultural background.
Mental Health Resources for BIPOC and LGBTQ+ Communities
- National Alliance on Mental Illness’s (NAMI) mission is to help families and individuals affected by mental illness build better lives through education, support, and advocacy.
- MindRight is a judgment-free place for growth, healing, and hope. In addition, they provide culturally responsive mental health coaching to teens over text messages.
- The Steve Fund's mission is to promote the mental health and emotional well-being of young people of color. The Youth Healing Space has resources and videos by young people like you.
- A Therapist Like Me was created to support minority-identifying clients in finding minority-identifying therapists.
- Inclusive Therapists is a mental health community that commits to and practices: advancing justice & equity for all intersectional identities, culturally affirming & responsive client care, centering the needs of the marginalized, and more.
- Melanin & Mental Health® connects individuals with culturally competent clinicians committed to serving the mental health needs of Black & Latinx/Hispanic communities.
- The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of Minority Health provides education about improving mental health care and treatment access. In addition, it helps break down other barriers, such as negative perceptions about mental illness.
- Centers for Disease Control has resources that help us confront the systems and policies that have resulted in the generational injustice that has given rise to racial and ethnic health inequities.
- Mental Health America is the nation’s leading community-based nonprofit dedicated to addressing the needs of those with mental illness and promoting mental health for all.
- At AAKOMA Project, the mission aims to help diverse teenagers and their families achieve optimal mental health through dialogue, learning, and the understanding that everyone deserves care and support.
- Eustress raises awareness of the importance of mental health in underserved communities, allowing individuals to identify and overcome challenges to achieve a healthier and more productive lifestyle.
- The National Organization for People of Color Against Suicide (NOPCAS) works to reduce the stigma of suicide prevention among communities of color through training and advocacy.
Mental Health Resources for Black and African American Communities
- National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) offers resources like the CONFESS Project, which leverages barbershops to begin the dialogue and an assessment of the Effects of Racial Trauma shown on TV on the overall mental health of African Americans.
- Loveland Foundation creates collaborative resources and initiatives prioritizing opportunity, access, validation, and healing for Black women and girls. In addition, the Loveland Therapy Fund provides financial assistance to Black women and girls seeking therapy nationally.
- The Boris Lawrence Henson Foundation’s vision is to eradicate the stigma around mental health issues in the African American community.
- Lee Thompson Young Foundation focuses on mental health education for African American communities.
- Black Girls Smile, Inc. ensures all young African American females receive the resources and support necessary to lead mentally healthy lives.
- Therapy for Black Girls is an online space dedicated to encouraging the mental wellness of Black women and girls.
- Therapy for Black Men is a directory to help men of color seeking a therapist.
- Black Emotional and Mental Health Collective is a collective of advocates, yoga teachers, artists, therapists, lawyers, religious leaders, teachers, psychologists, and activists committed to Black communities' emotional/mental health and healing.
- Black Mental Wellness provides access to evidence-based information and resources about mental health and behavioral health topics from a Black perspective to highlight and increase mental health professionals' diversity and decrease the mental health stigma in the Black community.
- Center for Black Women's Wellness (CBWW) is a non-profit organization that provides free and low-cost services to empower Black women and their families toward physical, mental, and economic wellness.
- Pretty Brown Girls is dedicated to educating and empowering girls of color by encouraging self-acceptance while cultivating social, emotional, and intellectual well-being.
- Black Mental Health Alliance's mission is to develop, promote, and sponsor trusted culturally relevant educational forums, training, and referral services that support the health and well-being of Black people and other vulnerable communities.
- CDC’s Racism and Health initiative investigates the impact of racism on health and efforts to achieve health equity for all.
Mental Health Resources for Latinx and Hispanic Communities
- National Alliance for Hispanic Health works to ensure that health incorporates the best of science, culture, and community by listening to the individual, investing in leading community-based organizations, working with national partners, examining, and improving the resources and systems available, and designing solutions to make health a part of each person’s life.
- The National Hispanic and Latino Prevention Technology Transfer Center collaborated with the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention to provide new fact sheets on Suicide Prevention Among Hispanics and Latinos to download and distribute.
- The National Latino Behavioral Health Association (NLBHA) was established to fill a need for a unified national voice for Latino populations in the behavioral health arena and to bring attention to the significant disparities in access, utilization, practice-based research, and adequately trained personnel.
- Comunilife’s unique Life is Precious™/La Vida es Preciosa program prevents suicide in young Latinas – the teen population with the highest rate of suicide attempts in the country. Life is Precious™ combines individual and group counseling, art therapy, academic support, and nutritional and fitness activities.
- MANA, A National Latina Organization® (MANA), contributes the leading Latina voice on many significant public issues like education, health and well-being, financial literacy, equal and civil rights, and immigration reform.
- Therapy for Latinx is a new online database that makes it easy for Latinx people to find mental health professionals in their communities.
- Help Advisor used federal data from the U.S. Census Bureau to find that 3.8 million Hispanic Americans aren't getting the mental health care services they need. This report explores the issue, including expert public health analysis and local Spanish-language resources to help serve Latino Americans. This resource is also available for English-language speakers who would like more information.
- American Society of Hispanic Psychiatry fosters multidisciplinary collaborations in mental health treatment, focusing on Latino Populations.
- Latinx Therapy offers bilingual, culturally grounded podcasts and workshops and a national directory to find a Latinx Therapist.
- MANA offers the HERMANITAS® Initiative - for young Latinas, ages 11-18, and provides One-on-One and Group Mentoring and the Hermanitas ®REACH Conference.
- National Alliance for Hispanic Health offers perspective on Hispanic teen mental health statistics.
- Buena Salud Press created a guide to understanding depression.
- The National Latino Behavioral Health Association (NLBHA) was established to fill a need for a unified national voice for Latino populations in the behavioral health arena and to bring attention to the great disparities in access, utilization, practice-based research, and adequately trained personnel.
- The National Latinx Psychological Association (NLPA) is a national organization of mental health professionals, academics, researchers, and students whose objective is to generate and advance psychological knowledge and foster its practical application for the benefit of the Latinx population.
- SanaMente provides mental health resources, information, photo novels, and guides to help youth and families discuss mental health.
- Red Nacional De Información Sobre El Tratamiento de Alcohol y Drogas: 1 (800) 662-4357
- La Administración De Salud Mental y Abuso De Substancias is a confidential and anonymous resource for persons seeking treatment for mental and substance use disorders in the United States and its territories
- Alcohólicos Anónimos (A.A.) is a fellowship of people who come together to solve their drinking problem.
- Narcóticos Anónimos (N.A.) is a nonprofit fellowship or society of men and women for whom drugs had become a major problem.
- Grupo de Familia Al-Anon is a mutual support program for people whose lives have been affected by someone else’s drinking.
- Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) supports efforts to promote mental health and substance use prevention in schools and campuses to provide safe learning environments.
- MentalHealth.gov provides general mental health information in Spanish.
- Oficina Para La Salud De La Mujer provides national leadership and coordination to improve the health of women and girls through policy, education, and innovative programs.
- Mental Health America (Salud Mental America) advances the mental health and well-being of all people living in the U.S. through public education, research, advocacy and public policy, and direct service.
Mental Health Resources for Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander Communities
- Asian & Pacific Islander American Health Forum influences policy, mobilizes communities, and strengthens programs and organizations to improve the health of Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians, and Pacific Islanders. APIAHF envisions a world where all people share responsibility and take action to ensure healthy and vibrant communities for current and future generations.
- Asian Mental Health Collective's mission is to raise awareness about the importance of mental health care, promote emotional well-being, and challenge the stigma concerning mental illness amongst Asian communities globally.
- South Asian Mental Health Alliance is a new non-profit community network engaging, educating, and mobilizing the BC South Asian community around issues related to mental health.
- Asian American Psychological Association is committed to helping Asian Americans succeed through various resources and initiatives.
- The National Asian American Pacific Islander Mental Health Association provides mental health and behavioral services for Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians, and Pacific Islanders.
- South Asian Mental Health Initiative & Network | SAMHIN is a nonprofit that addresses the mental health needs of the South Asian community in the U.S.
- Asian American Health Initiative (AAHI) is committed to improving the health and wellness of Asian Americans through equity, community engagement, data-driven approaches, and more.
- Asian Mental Health Project aims to educate and empower Asian communities seeking mental healthcare.
- Asians Do Therapy is dedicated to reducing stigma and increasing accessibility to mental health resources for the Asian community.
- Subtle Asian Mental Health is a Facebook group that describes itself as a place for people to discuss mental health issues without judgment.
- Asian American Racism & Mental Health Resources offers resources tailored toward learners, parents, educators, mental health clinicians, and allies.
- 50 Free Anti-Racism and Mental Health Resources provided by The Fu Foundation School of Engineering and Applied Science at Columbia University include several mental health and self-care resources for the Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) community.
Mental Health Resources for Indigenous and Native American Communities
- The American Indian and Alaska Native (AI/AN) National Suicide Prevention Strategic Plan is a national initiative addressing suicide prevention based on fostering collaborations across Tribes, Tribal organizations, Urban Indian organizations, and the Indian Health Service (IHS).
- The Center for Native American Youth works to improve the health, safety, and overall well-being of Native American youth through youth recognition, inspiration, and leadership; research, advocacy, and policy change; and by serving as a national resource exchange.
- The National American Indian and Alaska Native/Mental Health Technology Transfer Center Network compiled (and continues to update) resources during the National American Indian and Alaska Native MHTTC's ongoing series: Strategies of Support for Mental Health Providers - Empowering one another during times of crisis.
- We R Native is a comprehensive health resource for Native youth, by Native youth, providing content and stories about the topics that matter most to them. They strive to promote holistic health and positive growth in our local communities and the nation.
- The Zero Suicide in Indian Country toolkit contains recommendations for the implementation of Zero Suicide in Indian Country, forms and tools others have used in their implementation, and videos featuring a variety of indigenous health systems (IHS and Tribal) that have committed to the implementation and indigenization of the Zero Suicide framework for their communities.
Mental Health Resources for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Queer (LGBTQ+) Communities
- The Trevor Project is the world's most significant suicide prevention and crisis intervention organization for LGBTQ+ youth, including a 24-hour text line. (text “START” to 678678).
- National Alliance on Mental Health encourages exploration into how your experience of sexual orientation and gender identity relates to your mental health.
- American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP) is dedicated to preventing suicide among LGBTQ+ people.
- (GLAAD), the world’s largest LGBTQ+ media advocacy organization, works via media to share stories from the LGBTQ+ community that accelerate acceptance.
- Centers for Disease Control (CDC) is committed to providing insight into the interconnectivity of factors that contribute negatively to the mental health of LGBTQ+ youth and how society, families, and schools can work together to reduce these risks.
- Society for Sexual, Affectional, Intersex, and Gender Expansive Identities (SAIGE) delivers educational and support resources for LGBTQ+ individuals and promotes competency on LGBTQ+ issues for counseling professionals.
- TransSOCIAL, Inc.. offers services and resources that include name and gender marker change assistance, case management, peer support, social groups, and affirming medical and mental health referrals.
- Glimmer is a Platform for helping LGBTQ+ people connect with affirming wellness professionals.
- Trans Lifeline provides trans peer support for our community that’s been divested from police since day one.
- Depression Looks Like Me is a program – sponsored by the Johnson & Johnson Company and supported by an alliance of other partners – that aims to educate and empower LGBTQ+ people with depression.
- A Guide for Understanding, Supporting, and Affirming LGBTQI2-S Children, Youth, and Families provides information for service providers, educators, allies, and community members who seek to support the health and well-being of children and youth who are lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, questioning, intersex, or two-spirit (LGBTQI2-S) and their families.
- Gender-Affirming Care and Young People.This resource provides information on gender-affirming care, what it looks like, and why it matters, and offers additional resources related to transgender and gender-diverse children and adolescents. A glossary of standard terms to know when providing gender-affirming care is also included.
- Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Health: Youth. This webpage focuses on information for LGBTQ+ youth, highlighting the experiences that LGBTQ+ youth face and providing information for schools and parents related to responding to violence against LGBTQ+ students.
- Helping Families Support Their Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender (LGBT+) Children is a report that provides information about sexual orientation and gender identity to help friends, family, and other adults support LGBTQ+ children and adolescents.
- Ending Conversion Therapy: Supporting and Affirming LGBTQ+ Youth is a report that presents therapeutic practices related to youth, sexual orientation, and gender identity. These practices are based on research, clinical expertise, and expert consensus. In addition, the report makes the case for eliminating the use of conversion therapy among youth.
- The 2022 National Survey on LGBTQ+ Youth Mental Health demonstrates the rates of suicidal thoughts among LGBTQ+ young people over the last three years.
- LGBTQ Behavioral Health discusses information on behavioral health (mental health, suicide, and substance abuse) as they intersect with LGBTQ+ youth.
- Mental Health Challenges of LGBTQ+ Kids looks at risk and protection factors related to the mental health challenges of LGBTQ+ kids.
Mental Health Resources for Immigrant Communities
- Informed Immigrant provides educational resources about the unique need to access mental health services and support for undocumented people.
- The Healing Voices project addresses a critical gap in the farmworker organizing ecosystem – focusing on healing personal and community trauma as a needed step in increasing the power of farmworkers to be drivers of change.
- The Coalition for Immigrant Mental Health (CIMH) promotes awareness of and access to culturally and linguistically appropriate mental health services through education, advocacy, and resource sharing to improve and facilitate access to services for undocumented or mixed status.
- This Frontiers research covers a wide range of topics while providing a deep dive into the differential risks of what immigrants (refugees and second and third-generation children of immigrants) confront regarding improving mental health.
- INTERFACE Referral Services focuses on connecting members of the immigrant and refugee communities with mental health providers.
