It’s National Minority Mental Health Month, and we’re joining the conversation to support the mental and emotional well-being of racial and ethnic minority populations.
For every living being experiencing a mental health challenge, it takes many steps to become stronger and healthier. You need to find a place to get support, ensure they understand your point of view and goals, confirm that they can collect your complete medical history, and receive an accurate diagnosis and follow-up care plan that works for you. We are committed to breaking down all barriers and stigma involving mental health, but we also make additional efforts to support people from racial and ethnic minority groups.
Cultural Considerations for Minority Mental Health
Respect for your culture and beliefs is the building block for a good relationship. Without that, you may develop mistrust or feel fear of discrimination. As an agency, we are committed to ongoing education and training to be a culturally aware workplace. We focus on asking questions to deeply understand your beliefs and goals and build your culture into your treatment. We are mindful of ensuring that you are paired with a therapist who will help you be successful, and we have connections around the community for additional resources if needed.
Communication for Minority Mental Health
Clear communication is the key to making sure your mental health journey is successful. Our team is here to build a relationship with you, earn your trust, and learn about you and your goals. If language is a barrier, our providers find creative ways to connect including helping you communicate directly with your provider, using different forms of expression in therapy such as video, music, art, dance, and drawing, and utilizing interpreters. We aim to be a welcoming and safe space and become a partner in mental health.
Ease of Access to Care for Minority Mental Health
Mental health care can be challenging to access due to a lack of insurance or difficulty navigating the public insurance system. At Zumbro Valley Health Center, we accept most insurance plans and specialize in state-covered plans. In addition, we have a support team to help connect you to additional community resources.
When it comes to minority mental health, diversity, equity, and inclusion should be threaded into every action we take. We’re encouraged by the number of conversations and actions taking place to help people access care, but we still have a lot of work to do to ensure mental health is equally accessible for people of all races. Let’s break down the barriers to minority mental health support.
“It is in your hands to create a better world for all who live in it.”
~Nelson Mandela
To learn more about Zumbro Valley Health Center, follow us on Facebook and Instagram or give us a call at 507.289.2089. If you’re experiencing a mental health crisis, crisis response line at 844.274.7472, text MN to 741741, or call 988 anytime.