Mental Health Resources for BIPOC and LGBTQIA+ Communities

People with mental illness experience discrimination in all aspects of their lives. For Black, Indigenous, People of Color (BIPOC) with mental health issues, racism compounds that experience of discrimination. For those that identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, questioning/queer, intersex, and agender/asexual (LGBTQIA+), additional prejudice, discrimination, and family rejection contribute to further trauma. All of this negatively impacts mental health.

BIPOC are less likely to have access to services and receive mental health care. We are also less likely to seek help. When we do receive support, the care is often lacking, and we are likely to end services prematurely because of past negative experiences, lack of trust, and relatability to providers. Additionally, many of us face cultural stigma and expectations of behavior that impact our ability to self-advocate, talk about mental health, and seek support.

I grew up in a South Asian family. Cultural stigma, avoidance of taboo subjects, heavy reliance on public perception were pervasive, and mental health was never openly discussed. A common phrase in my household was, "what will people say?" Hearing this almost daily instilled me with feelings of judgment, shame, and guilt. The fear of what people would say pushed me into marriage at a young age. I spent four years trapped in an emotionally and physically abusive marriage. I was afraid to tell anyone what was going on and what I was going through. Divorce wasn't an option because of what other people would think, and I couldn't disappoint and bring shame to my parents.

In my culture, there's also the conflict of putting your needs before that of others. I know I'm not alone in being brought up with collectivism over individualism, where talking about your feelings and centering a conversation around yourself is inappropriate. When I was going through my divorce, my best friend convinced me to see a therapist. I was a student at the time without insurance, and student counseling was my only option. I set up an initial appointment and was denied counseling services after being told what I was experiencing was normal. I didn't fight it, and I didn't advocate for myself. I spent the next decade finding various therapists that I couldn't relate to or make progress with. I am a mental health professional, and as much awareness as I have of my challenges, none of the providers I found understood my struggle to talk about myself. The majority of therapists are white and do not represent the diversity in our population. This lack of diversity in providers results in poor relatability.

The stigma of mental illness, insufficient access, lack of affordability, poor relatability, discrimination, and racism lead to avoidance of treatment. When you add familial guilt, judgment, and shame, you can start to understand why so many people experiencing mental health issues don't receive the support they need. As overwhelming as these challenges are, we are not alone, and help is available. 

I've compiled a list of mental health resources for varying communities because we deserve appropriate mental health care that is right for us.

Resources for Native and Indigenous Communities

Resources for Black Communities

Resources for Latinx Communities

Resources for Asian/Pacific Islander Communities

Resources for LGBTQIA+ Communities

linksSheela Ivlev