BIPOC Mental Health Support
Arbor Wellness provides care for a variety of mental illnesses that affect Black, Indigenous, and People of Color, also known as the BIPOC community. Enjoying good mental health is important to every person, regardless of race or ethnic background. Yet, sometimes members of certain groups find it difficult to locate treatment centers that understand and respect their specific needs. Our experienced, compassionate staff offers BIPOC mental health treatment for several different types of mental health disorders. We help people rise above the challenges they face with newfound confidence and abilities to cope well.
This article was written by Arbor Wellness staff and medically reviewed by the Arbor Wellness team.
You are not alone. You deserve to get help.
Arbor Wellness is an industry leader in mental health treatment. Our team of top medical experts specialize in dual diagnosis treatment and are committed to ensuring that each patient is treated as an individual. Call us today, we’re available 24/7.
BIPOC Mental Health Issues
Beyond understanding the client’s trauma, Arbor Wellness acknowledges the trauma experienced by family members and loved ones who have also valiantly tried to cope with the client’s mental health disorder. Family members are encouraged to become educated about trauma, examine their own traumatic experiences with an individual therapist, seek their own support, and increase their coping skills during this time of healing. Avoidance of pain must end for everyone involved.
While your loved one is in our care at Arbor Wellness, family and friends are encouraged to understand “no news is good news” regarding the client’s progress in treatment. Rest assured that the client’s primary therapist or other clinical staff involved with the client will communicate with you at the appropriate time or if there is an emergency. Clients are given an “acclimation period” for the first 7 days after admission so that they can fully immerse themselves in the treatment environment and any contact with loved ones during this time is by staff only without the client present. Clinical staff may also postpone or limit contact if it is determined that communication is therapeutically contraindicated.
At the forefront now are BIPOC mental health programs that help Black, Indigenous, and People of Color achieve great results in improving their mental health. The term BIPOC is beginning to replace terms like “racial minority”, including within the mental healthcare community. The belief is that the word “minority” can feel like it implies a group is less important due to smaller numbers or whose concerns and healthcare needs are synonymous with being inferior.
July of each year has been designated as BIPOC Mental Health Month, which helps to highlight the special needs of this group. Groups that have been disenfranchised or experienced discrimination due to their race or ethnicity can benefit from receiving counseling and other mental health treatment that addresses their unique experiences. It can be difficult for some people outside of the BIPOC community to understand the uphill battle often fought by BIPOCs, whether it comes in the form of obvious or subtle discrimination.
Challenges often faced within the BIPOC community include cultural differences in understanding mental illness and the options available for help. Many people within this group have fewer resources compared to other groups and may even face discrimination from some of the healthcare workers who are supposed to be helping them. In addition, many BIPOCs experience stigma about having a mental health disorder within their racial groups. They often find it difficult to admit they are ill and need help.
Resources for People of Color Facing Mental Health Issues
- Racial Equity Support Line: Lines for Life offers help and hope for individuals in different communities to prevent crises and offer support services. They have a Racial Equity support line to help those feeling impacts of racist violence and microaggressions.
- Black Mental Health Alliance: BMHA provides educationally-relevant education forums that support the health and mental well-being of Black people and their communities.
- Black Emotional & Mental Health Collective: BEAM is a wellness director that provides virtual black therapists, doulas, yoga teachers, meditators, and more.
- Therapy for Black Girls: This immersive site is an all-inclusive directory providing Podcasts, Blogs, resources, and more.
- Fireweed Collective: Fireweed offers mental health education and aid through a Healing Justice lens.
- Black Women’s Health Imperative: BWHI is an organization dedicated to advancing equity and social justice for Black women through education, research, and leadership.
- Black Mental Wellness: Black mental wellness offers evidenced-based information and resources about behavioral health from a Black perspective.
- Therapy for Black Men: Therapy for Black men is a virtual therapy practice of 634 therapists and 61 coaches throughout the country.
- Innopsych: An online directory dedicated to helping people find clinicians of color.
- What’s On Your Mind: WOYM is a non-profit dedicated to having conversations around the stigma of mental illness in communities of color.
Resources for People of Color Facing Addiction
- Recovery Dharma BIPOC: Recovery Dharma offers recovery meetings for those who only identify as BIPOC.
- IHS Substance Abuse: The Indian Health Service is a federal program that helps American Indians and Alaska Natives.
- SAMHSA Tribal Affairs: The Office of Tribal Affairs progresses tribal advocacy, and law and order and helps prevent substance abuse and suicide.
- White Bison: White Bison provides sobriety, recovery, and addiction prevention services for Native Americans and Alaskan Native communities throughout the United States.
- Blacks United In Recovery: BUR is an advocacy network for African Americans seeking recovery from mental health and substance abuse.
Resources for Domestic Violence
- Asian Task Force Against Domestic Violence: ATASK addresses the gaps in services for Asian domestic violence survivors.
Resources for LGBT
- LGBTQ Psychotherapists of Color: This practice aims to help people find clinicians in their community.
BIPOC Mental Health Statistics
The issue of making sure high-quality BIPOC mental health options are widely available becomes more important as the United States sees continued growth in its number of non-White residents. The U.S. Census Bureau reported that between 2010 and 2020, the White population decreased by 8.6%. Conversely, between the same years, the Multiracial population grew by 276%.
People who took a mental health screening going as far back as 2014 showed a disparity in results based on race. Those who identified as Multi-racial proved to be the most likely to screen positive or at-risk for depression, anxiety, psychosis, eating disorders, and substance use disorders. The most likely groups to screen positive or at-risk for bipolar disorder and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) were Native and Indigenous people.
Mental Health America reports the following statistics related to how many members of BIPOC groups have a mental health disorder:
- 25% of those who identify as two or more races
- 23% of Native Americans/Alaskan Natives
- 17% of African Americans
- 15% of Latinx/Hispanic Americans
- 13% Asian American/Pacific Islander
BIPOC Mental Health Treatment in Nashville
Are you a member of the BIPOC community and want to find high-quality, effective care for your mental health? Arbor Wellness offers BIPOC mental health treatment programs that foster the ability to take charge of your life and create a happier, healthier future. We provide both residential and outpatient plans that treat a multitude of mental health disorders. We offer a combination of evidence-based therapy plans and any necessary medications to help those in the BIPOC community change their lives for the better.
For more information about how we can help you enjoy better mental health, visit our admissions page now. We can answer any questions you have about getting the help you deserve.
We Work With Most Major Insurance
Did you know most major health insurance plans with out-of-network benefits can help cover most of the costs associated with our program? Click below to find out your coverage and treatment options right now.
