By Dr. Patrice J. Holmes, Board-Certified Psychiatrist
Mental health awareness is growing nationwide, but significant care gaps remain as it relates to access and quality for Black and Brown communities. For Black and Brown boys and men, psychiatric care often feels out of reach or disconnected from their lived experiences. Addressing these disparities requires culturally grounded psychiatric care that builds trust, respects identity, and improves outcomes.
The Reality of Mental Health Disparities
Studies show Black and Brown individuals are less likely to receive mental health services compared to white individuals. The National Institute of Mental Health reports only 37 percent of Black adults with a mental illness received treatment in 2022, versus 52 percent of white adults. Among Latino adults, the rate was 35 percent.
Youth face even greater disparities. Research in the Journal of the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry indicates Black youth are more likely to be misdiagnosed or underdiagnosed and disproportionately referred to the juvenile justice system rather than therapy.
Barriers to the right care include stigma, cost, transportation, systemic racism, and historical mistrust of healthcare systems. To bridge this gap, mental health care must be culturally informed and responsive.
What Is Culturally Grounded Psychiatric Care?
Culturally grounded care goes beyond language or racial matching between provider and patient. It involves:
- Understanding racial trauma, community violence, and systemic challenges as critical factors in diagnosis and treatment.
- Valuing cultural beliefs, coping styles, and communication patterns as part of care planning.
- Combining therapy, medication, and community supports tailored to individual experiences.
- Engaging families collaboratively, especially when treating children and adolescents.
Such care creates a safe, affirming environment where clients feel seen and understood, improving engagement and adherence to treatment.
The Role of Psychiatric Medication
Medication can be an important complement to therapy for conditions like depression, ADHD, PTSD, and bipolar disorder. However, medication must be prescribed thoughtfully and tailored to the individual’s cultural context, medical conditions, and personal preferences.
Expanding telepsychiatry and Medicaid coverage has improved access in underserved areas, but trust and relevance remain crucial for sustained care.
Building Trust and Equity in Mental Health
Black and Brown communities have experienced stigma and mistrust toward psychiatric services. Restoring trust requires cultural humility, transparency, and respect from providers. It means recognizing culture not as a barrier, but as essential to effective treatment.
Mental health is necessary for overall health and wellness. Equitable, culturally informed psychiatric care is key to healing for Black and Brown boys and men – and by extension, their families and communities.
About the Author
Dr. Patrice J. Holmes is a board-certified adult and child & adolescent psychiatrist with extensive clinical and community experience. She is passionate about health equity, provider wellness, and culturally responsive mental health care. She leads the Psychiatric Department at GRO Community, Inc.
