Minority communities face additional mental health care access struggles

OKLAHOMA CITY (KOKH) — The number of Oklahomans in minority groups getting help for mental health issues is lower than the average. From stigma to less access, these additional hurdles can make recovery more difficult.

Whether we are talking about a race or sexual orientation-- your family history, your background, and that oppressive mental illness stigma can all feel impossible to overcome. However, you need to know there are many groups in Oklahoma City extending their hands ready to help.

One of the most vulnerable minority groups is the LGBTQ+ community. Advocates say there is often less family support during the difficult moments of a person finding their identity, and being true to who they are could mean losing everything.

“We are seeing higher rates of depression, anxiety, higher rates of suicide in our community-- higher rates of alcoholism and drug addiction,“ says Allie Shinn, Freedom Oklahoma executive director

Some of the most vulnerable include youth in this community. If community support is missing, Q space says it is ready to help. It is a support group for teens and young adults with the goal of building community.

“We know this within the mental health community, that prevention is really where it's at. And not to take away from treatment, but if we can get people early on and connected to the community then it is going to really lower the risk,” says Kris Williams, Q Space LGBTQ youth coordinator

Northcare provides behavioral health services, and it says outreach to minority populations is especially important., because data shows these communities access care at lower rate.

Sometimes cultural norms are what get in the way or seeking treatment. The idea that problems should be kept at home, or solved individually or within the family.

“Things like trauma and mental illness are inter-generational and those cycles can only be broken if we change what we have been doing,” says Kaitlynn Wilkinson, Northcare communications specialist.

In Oklahoma City, there is even help available for large portions of the immigrant population that don't speak much or any English. Organizations, like the Latino Community Development Agency, provide care in Spanish so clients feel more comfortable and understood.