July marks National Minority Mental Health Awareness Month and aims to spotlight the distinct mental health challenges encountered by racial and ethnic minorities in the United States, while advocating for strategies to dismantle barriers and combat stigma.
The Community Mental Health Board of Oak Park Township is one of the resources in the community that recognizes this month and provides resources and treatment.
This board acts as a funder, supporting mental health, substance use and developmental disability services for Oak Park residents. Additionally, the board performs needs assessments for the local community.
“What we do is identify the specific needs of Oak Park residents and help to fund programs that eliminate barriers to care,” said Community Mental Health Board Executive Cheryl Potts.
Potts said that National Minority Mental Health Awareness Month is significant because minorities have the same rates of diagnosis of mental health disorders as non-Hispanic whites, typically around 20% to 25% of all populations.
“The biggest issue is access to treatment, engagement, and care. Approximately half of white individuals seek treatment, which is still very low, but this rate drops substantially for other minorities: 40% for Black individuals, 35% for Latinx individuals, and 25% for Asian communities,” Potts said.
Potts has more than 25 years of experience in the human services field. As a resident of Oak Park and someone living with a mental health disorder, Potts has personally faced the challenges they aim to alleviate for their neighbors. With a family history of mental illness and addiction, Potts experienced a tragic loss when her brother died by suicide in 1999.
“To me, mental health is not just my work; it is my life’s passion. I believe lives can be saved when people have the information and the ability to seek care because recovery is possible. Unfortunately, my brother did not get to achieve it, but I am able to live in recovery,” Potts said.
Potts emphasized that representation matters. She explained that the purpose of this awareness month is to begin dismantling the stigma surrounding mental health and to acknowledge that mental health support is necessary for all demographics.
According to Potts, these disparities are deeply concerning for community workers as individuals who receive care and treatment experience significantly better life outcomes. Recovery is both achievable and rewarding, yet many people endure their struggles in silence rather than seeking help.
“Minorities face distinct challenges compared to white individuals, such as lack of insurance, inability to afford care, and being uninsured or underinsured, with these issues being especially prevalent in Black and Brown communities,” Potts said.
Stigma and cultural competency barriers also are significant issues because mental health providers tend to be white and female, which can be a barrier for individuals from Black or Latino communities who have unique cultural experiences affecting their mental health.
“These individuals may not connect with a white woman sitting on the other side of the table. Representation matters, and the purpose of National Minority Mental Health Awareness Month is to start breaking down this stigma and recognize that mental health support extends beyond just one demographic,” Potts said.
To better understand and address the mental health needs of the community, the Community Health Board performs a needs assessment every three years.
“The data reveals that minority populations are not participating in care at the same rates as white individuals. To address this, we fund several programs that focus on early intervention, particularly targeting youth and young adults to highlight the importance of mental health and reduce the stigma associated with self-care,” Potts said.
Some of these programs the board collaborates with is Youth Educational Mentoring Basketball Association and the board also fund programs on the treatment side, including the National Alliance on Mental Illness for peer networks and engagement.
The board collaborates with partners who provide valuable services twice a week, maintaining strong connections with them.
“One significant issue we’re encountering is an increase in overdoses, affecting both the West Side of Chicago and nearby west suburbs,” Potts said. “The West Side Opioid Task Force addresses opioid-related problems, but in Oak Park, we also focus on other substances, including those laced with fentanyl. Additionally, there is a shortage of Adderall and ADHD medication.
“My niece overdosed seven times, but has thankfully been sober for four years. Often, people view the opioid epidemic and overdoses as distant issues, but these crises impact our families directly. We are grateful for organizations like Live4Lali, which helped save her life when she was ready for recovery,” Potts said.
Potts outlined her long-term goals for improving mental health among minority communities in Oak Park Township. She emphasized the importance of increasing the number of people engaged in treatment and receiving care.
“The objective is to eliminate barriers to care, many of which stem from racist systems and structures. Minority communities face higher rates of intergenerational trauma, which complicates access to mental health services,” Potts said. For instance, new immigrants, such as Venezuelans, experience increased trauma, requiring a culturally responsive approach. Recognizing that one solution does not fit all.”
Potts stressed the need to understand and address individual needs through treatment, medication, or other appropriate services, and to facilitate easier access to these resources.
Potts added that the most crucial action people can take is to keep discussing mental health, removing its stigma and making it a regular part of daily life.
“Just as people talk about physical health, what they eat, and how much water they drink, we should normalize conversations about mental health. This can help ease individuals into seeking care and alleviate their concerns,” Potts said.
Engaging in genuine and profound conversations about mental health is essential. Potts believes that sharing personal stories holds significant importance, as others need to hear them. Potts said that increased dialogue about mental health helps to normalize the topic, making it easier for individuals to seek and receive care.
