Making minority mental health care more accessible
COLUMBIA, South Carolina -- All Veterans face unique challenges when returning home and transitioning back to civilian life.
In addition, Veterans from diverse backgrounds may face pre-existing traumas and stigmas that surface later. With that in mind, VA works to combat disparities by putting health equity at the forefront.
“In Mental Health, we understand that we provide care for a diverse group of patients,” said Dr Shantel Edmonds, clinical psychologist at the Columbia VA Health Care System. “Each Veteran presents with a unique history of experiences before, during and after military service, which may have been impacted by their ethnicity, age, gender, socioeconomic factors, as well as social determinants of health.”
During July’s National Minority Mental Health Awareness Month, VA Columbia VA Health Care System aims to improve access to mental health treatment and services, reduce stigma, and ensure all communities have the resources and support they need to thrive.
“Many of the Veterans that we provide care for are trauma survivors. Additionally, many may have been exposed to messages that stigmatize engaging in mental health care. These experiences may impact their help-seeking and response to mental health treatment,” added Edmonds.
During the observance, organizations, mental health providers, and communities hold events, share resources, and amplify the voices and experiences of those from diverse backgrounds.
The goal is to promote equity in mental health care and empower minority individuals to prioritize their well-being and seek the support they need.
“We provide individualized and trauma-informed care to let Veterans know that they are safe with us, that we are open to learning about their unique experiences, and that we want to provide individualized care to help them on their unique recovery journey,” said Edmonds. “Our goal is to provide effective and culturally competent care.”
Resources:
Veterans Crisis Line: Dial 988, then PRESS1
VeteransCrisisLine.net/Chat
VeteransCrisisline.net/LocalResources
MentalHealthVA.gov
KeepItSecure.net
VA.gov/REACH
July was National Minority Mental Health Awareness Month
This annual observance is a time to shed light on the diverse mental health challenges racial and ethnic groups face across communities and how awareness can destigmatize those challenges.
In May 2008, the U.S. House of Representatives announced July as Bebe Moore Campbell National Minority Mental Health Awareness Month.
Bebe Moore Campbell National Minority Mental Health Awareness Month was developed to honor the efforts of Bebe Moore Campbell (1950 – 2006), an American author, journalist, teacher, and mental health advocate. Campbell’s drive to advocate began early as she witnessed family members struggle with mental illness. Common challenges include cultural stigma around mental illness, lack of culturally competent providers, economic and insurance barriers, and historical mistrust of the healthcare system. Minority groups like African Americans, Hispanic/Latinos, Asian Americans, Native Americans, and LGBTQ+ individuals of color are disproportionately impacted.