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Minority representation

In many communities, it is difficult to achieve equity in mental health. According to a recent CVS Health/Harris Poll survey, nearly 17% of People of Color say they have difficulty finding a mental health provider who understands their culture. Finding a practitioner to trust can also be challenging, often leading people to avoid getting available help, like counseling. This is why representation in mental health is so important.

African American community

African Americans and the Black American community at large often face structural problems getting the care and treatment they need. In general, 63% of Black people say they view mental health issues as something being wrong with them, either morally or spiritually. ¹

As a result, these communities may become nervous about possible discrimination, which prevents them from looking for help. However, Black adults say they are more likely to report constant signs of emotional distress than white adults. ¹

American Indians & Alaska Natives (AIAN) community

In 2019, nearly 19% of American Indian and Alaska Native (AIAN) adults reported mental health issues. In 2021, there were 9.7 million AIAN individuals recorded in the U.S. census — 86% more than in 2020. ¹

Thousands of Indigenous people experience multi-generational trauma that often leads to mental health problems, substance use disorders and even suicide. However, historical and current discrimination makes it challenging to properly document information about the mental well-being of AIAN people. Because of this, many Indigenous people have trouble accessing the mental health care that they need. ¹

Hispanic & Latino / Latinx community

Over 17% of the U.S. population identify as Hispanic, Latino or Latinx, making them the nation’s largest ethnic group.¹ One in 10 Hispanic, Latino or Latinx people receive mental health services from their primary care doctor. This is due to the fact that only 8% of mental health providers identify as Hispanic and only one in 20 receive mental health care from a practitioner who specializes in mental health. ¹

Asian Americans & Pacific Islanders (AAPI) community

For Asian Americans and Pacific Islander (AAPI), mental health problems are sometimes blamed on mental fortitude, or a person's lack of mental strength. These feelings are sometimes blamed on an individual's family, causing complicated feelings of shame, not only for the person dealing with mental health issues but also for the people in their household. Because of this, many AAPI people can feel nervous about seeking help because they want to protect their family's reputation. ²

In this scenario, primary care practitioners have an important opportunity to reduce stigma of depression by educating about and treating it, offering screening tools and emphasizing that depression is a medical illness and is not indicative of weakness. ²

Common causes of depression

Depression doesn't have a single cause; it's complex and often can be recurring, lasting from months to years if left untreated. Around 21 million U.S. adults — 8.4% of the population — experienced a major depressive episode in 2020. Depression can be triggered by various factors including: ⁴

• trauma
• genetics
• life circumstances
• brain changes
• other medical conditions
• drug and alcohol use disorders

What does depression feel like?

Depression can cause ongoing feelings of sadness, and a general loss of motivation or interest. It can affect not just how you feel but also how you think, behave, and see yourself and others in the world around you.

From the physical to the emotional, symptoms of depression can include:

• Ongoing sadness or unexplained crying spells
• Significant appetite and sleep changes
• Irritability, indifference, anger, worry, agitation, anxiety, and pessimism
• Loss of energy and ongoing lethargy
• Feelings of guilt and worthlessness
• Difficulty concentrating and/or indecisiveness
• Lack of interest in former activities, social withdrawal
• Unexplained aches and pains
• Recurring thoughts of death or suicide

If left untreated, these symptoms can be devastating for those with depression and their families. ⁵

How is depression treated?

Effective depression treatment involves early detection, diagnosis and a plan that can include medication, psychotherapy and lifestyle adjustments. Success varies by depression type and severity, but a wide range of therapies exist, including:

• psychotherapy
• psychoeducation
• support groups
• antidepressants 
• complementary and alternative medicine (CAM)

Always discuss your options with your clinician, practitioner or other healthcare professional. ⁶