July marks National Minority Mental Health Month, a time dedicated to raising awareness about the unique mental health challenges faced by racial and ethnic minority communities in the United States. Established in 2008 to honor Bebe Moore Campbell, an author and advocate who worked tirelessly to shed light on the mental health needs of minority communities, this month serves as a reminder that mental health support must be inclusive, accessible, and culturally responsive to effectively serve everyone.
Research consistently shows that while mental health conditions affect all populations, racial and ethnic minorities often experience disproportionate barriers to care, including structural inequities, cultural stigma, and lack of culturally competent services. According to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), racial and ethnic minorities have less access to mental health services, are less likely to receive needed care, and often receive lower quality care when treated. These disparities have been further exacerbated by the lasting effects of the pandemic and ongoing socioeconomic challenges.
In recognition of National Minority Mental Health Month, we’re sharing our five favorite approaches for developing and engaging with culturally responsive mental health practices that can help bridge these gaps and create more equitable mental health support for all communities.
Action Steps for July
1. Recognize Cultural Influences on Mental Health Expression and Understanding
Mental health is understood and expressed differently across cultures. What may be considered a symptom in one culture might be viewed as a normal expression of emotion or spirituality in another. These differences influence how individuals recognize and describe their mental health challenges, when and where they seek help, and what types of treatment they find acceptable.
Research by the American Psychological Association (2023) shows that integrating cultural understanding into mental health assessment and treatment significantly improves outcomes. For example, what might be diagnosed as an anxiety disorder in Western frameworks could be described as “nervios” or “ataque de nervios” in some Latin American communities, with unique cultural expressions and contexts that need to be understood for effective support.
Understanding these cultural frameworks isn’t just important for mental health professionals—it’s essential for anyone seeking to provide support across cultural lines.
Action step: Expand your understanding of how different cultures conceptualize mental health and wellness. Resources like the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) offer culture-specific information about mental health expressions and approaches. Take time to learn about mental health beliefs and practices in communities different from your own.
2. Implement the Cultural Humility Framework in Support Approaches
Cultural humility goes beyond cultural competence. Rather than simply acquiring knowledge about different cultures (which can sometimes lead to stereotyping), cultural humility involves an ongoing process of self-reflection, acknowledging one’s own cultural biases, and maintaining an open, learner’s stance when interacting with individuals from different backgrounds.
Developed by Tervalon and Murray-García (1998) and expanded through recent research by Hook et al. (2022), te cultural humility framework emphasizes that no one can be fully “competent” in another’s culture. Instead, it encourages continuous learning, respect for cultural differences, and awareness of power imbalances in healthcare and support settings.
For mental health support to be truly effective, this approach must be embedded in all interactions, from professional therapy to community and peer support.
Action step: Practice self-reflection about your own cultural background and how it shapes your assumptions about mental health. When supporting someone from a different cultural background, ask open-ended questions about what would be most helpful according to their values and preferences, rather than making assumptions based on general knowledge about their culture.
3. Build Diverse Support Networks and Community Resources
Strong connections within one’s cultural community can provide essential protective factors against mental health challenges. Research by Williams and Neighbors (2021) found that strong ethnic identity and community connection can buffer the negative mental health impacts of discrimination and other stressors.
Community-based mental health resources—like cultural centers, faith communities, and culturally-specific support groups—often provide accessible entry points for those hesitant to seek traditional mental health services. These resources can offer culturally responsive support while helping to reduce stigma around mental health within communities.
Creating diverse, inclusive spaces where multiple cultural perspectives are valued also enables cross-cultural learning and support that benefits everyone.
Action step: Research culturally-specific mental health resources in your community, such as support groups, community centers, or faith-based services that address mental health needs. If you’re in a position to do so, consider advocating for or helping to establish such resources where gaps exist. Support organizations led by and serving diverse communities.
4. Address Language and Communication Barriers
Language differences create significant barriers to mental health support. Even when translation is available, nuances critical to mental health discussions can be lost, and finding providers who speak one’s native language remains challenging for many communities.
Beyond verbal language, communication styles vary widely across cultures. Some cultures value direct communication, while others emphasize context and indirect expression. Some prioritize emotional restraint, while others encourage emotional expressiveness. Understanding these differences is crucial for effective support.
Research by Sentell et al. (2023) found that individuals with limited English proficiency who received mental health services in their preferred language reported significantly better treatment satisfaction and outcomes compared to those who did not.
Action step: When recommending resources or providing support, prioritize language accessibility. If you’re fluent in more than one language, consider volunteering as a translator for community mental health events. For organizations, invest in professional translation services and diverse hiring practices to ensure language barriers don’t prevent access to critical support.
5. Challenge Stigma Through Culturally Relevant Education and Narratives
Mental health stigma exists in all communities, but its specific manifestations and impacts vary across cultural contexts. In some communities, mental health challenges may be viewed as spiritual issues, character flaws, or family matters to be kept private. These perspectives influence whether and how individuals seek help.
Culturally responsive anti-stigma efforts recognize these differences and adapt their approaches accordingly. Research by Wong et al. (2022) shows that the most effective anti-stigma campaigns incorporate cultural values, use appropriate language and messaging, and feature voices from within the communities they aim to reach.
Personal narratives from individuals who share cultural backgrounds with their audience can be particularly powerful in challenging stigma and encouraging help-seeking behaviors.
Action step: Support and amplify diverse voices in mental health advocacy. Share culturally diverse mental health stories and resources on social media, being careful to prioritize content created by individuals from the cultures being represented. If you have lived experience with mental health challenges and feel comfortable sharing, consider how your story might help reduce stigma in your own community.
As we observe National Minority Mental Health Month, it’s important to recognize that building culturally responsive mental health support isn’t just the responsibility of professionals or those from minority communities—it’s a collective effort that benefits everyone. When we expand our understanding of different cultural approaches to mental health, we create more inclusive, effective support systems for all.
The journey toward mental health equity requires ongoing commitment, continuous learning, and a willingness to center the experiences and needs of historically marginalized communities. By implementing these culturally responsive approaches, we can work together to create mental health support that truly serves everyone.
What culturally responsive mental health practices have you found helpful? Share in the comments below.
Remember: If you or someone you know is experiencing a mental health crisis, contact the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline by calling or texting 988, or visit their website for online chat options.
