July is National Minority Mental Health Awareness Month

"Those most in need are often least likely to be served." Sadly, that's the catchphrase for how mental health services have long been provided in the U.S. Study after study describe a system more oriented toward the worried well than the seriously impaired. The same holds for access to services for minorities. They are far less likely to enjoy quality services, even though the rates of mental disorders for minority communities are at least as high, if not higher, than the rest of the population.

According to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA): "Communities of color tend to experience greater burden of mental and substance use disorders, often due to poorer access to care; inappropriate care; and higher social, environmental, and economic risk factors."