This story appeared in the Columbus African American News Journal.
April marks Minority Health Month, a time to recognize and address health disparities among minority populations.
Mental health inequities remain a pressing issue, with Black Ohioans more likely to rate their mental health as fair or poor (22.2%) compared to white Ohioans (15.3%), according to 2023 data collected by the Ohio Medicaid Assessment Survey. This disparity highlights the ongoing need for accessible, culturally responsive behavioral health care that meets the unique needs of minority communities.
For agencies like Alvis and National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) Franklin County, both Alcohol, Drug and Mental Health Board of Franklin County (ADAMH) network providers, Minority Health Month serves as an opportunity to reflect on the progress made and the challenges that remain.
Alvis CEO Denise M. Robinson and NAMI Franklin County CEO Rachelle Martin share their perspectives on health equity, barriers to care and the steps needed to create a more inclusive and effective behavioral health system.
Progress in Health Equity
To Denise, significant strides have been made at the local, state and federal levels in expanding access to services and addressing cultural responsiveness.
“The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, Ohio Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services and ADAMH have implemented strategic efforts to promote equitable access to behavioral health services,” Denise said. “I hope we continue to make progress in this area.”
Rachelle highlighted another crucial aspect of progress: the growing openness in discussing mental health.
“We have a better understanding of the importance of showing up for, and in, the communities we serve,” Rachelle said. “Recognizing the unique needs of minority populations has led to a greater focus on bridging gaps in care and developing culturally appropriate responses.”
Persistent Barriers to Accessing Care
Despite progress, significant barriers continue to prevent communities of color from accessing quality behavioral health care. Denise and Rachelle both identified stigma as one of the greatest obstacles.
“The most persistent barriers for communities of color to seeking care are stigma and misinformation,” Denise said. “As long as mental health is viewed by some as a personal weakness or something that should be handled within the family, it will be difficult for individuals to seek treatment.”
Rachelle echoed this concern, noting that stigma, shame and fear of judgment discourage many individuals from reaching out for help.
“When people living with a mental illness don’t seek out treatment and a crisis ensues, the crisis is compounded due to inadequate access or availability of crisis care,” Rachelle said. “The fear and mistrust that many communities of color have toward providers further compounds these barriers.”
Innovative Approaches to Bridging Care Gaps
To address these barriers, Alvis and NAMI Franklin County implement innovative strategies tailored to the needs of diverse communities. Denise outlined Alvis’ commitment to providing high-quality, culturally responsive services.
“Alvis’ facilities in central Ohio are located in minority communities to ensure accessible services for those seeking care,” Denise said. “We are also seeking out and testing new and innovative solutions to improve equity and cultural responsiveness, such as connecting individuals in behavioral health treatment to telehealth providers and digital platforms for 24-hour support.”
Denise also stressed the importance of continuity of care across corrections systems, behavioral health providers, workforce development programs and more.
“Individuals need a ‘soft handoff’ when transitioning — whether from prison to a residential reentry center, from a reentry center to recovery housing or from a group setting back to their own residence. This is especially important for historically underserved populations,” she said. “At each stage, continuity of care needs to be addressed and supports need to be in place before the transition to reduce the risk of stress or crisis. It’s essential we develop community partnerships and leverage local resources to create tailored interventions and supports for continuity of care and equitable care.”
To Rachelle, education, advocacy and community support are vital in bridging care gaps. NAMI Franklin County also collaborates with communities of color and faith-based organizations to address culturally specific barriers to mental health care.
“Bridging gaps in care for minority communities starts with listening and learning from those communities, then partnering with them to close those gaps,” Rachelle said.
As Minority Health Month encourages reflection and action, Denise and Rachelle know there is still work to be done. Through continued advocacy, education and innovation, Alvis and NAMI Franklin County are committed to making equitable mental health care a reality for minority communities in Franklin County.
If you or someone you know is in crisis, call, text or chat the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline.