On average, there are 129 suicides per day.
Suicide is the 10th leading cause of death in the US
“People of color are more likely to struggle with “battle fatigue” as they combat persistent stereotypes, institutionalized racism, discrimination, micro aggression, a lack of empathy and other social ills that are imposed upon them. All of these factors can have a detrimental impact on mental health”
People of Color are more likely to have feelings of sadness, hopelessness, and worthlessness
“Stigma and judgment prevents people of color from seeking treatment for their mental illnesses. Research indicates that people of color believe that mild depression or anxiety would be considered “crazy” in their social circles.
Mental Illness Living Low in our Neighbor, also known as M.I.L.L.I.O.N, is a community-based organization structured around mental health issues in the black community. Reaching specifically people of color, our mission is to work with community partners and health officials to transform society’s response to everyday difficulties people of color will face. Through these platforms, M.I.L.L.I.O.N seeks to eliminate the issues through free or discounted therapy sessions, public mental health fairs hosted by members of the community, and even a directory that will provide demographic information of local therapists and their role within the organization. The ultimate goal for this organization is to reach one million people of color, and in the process, change the asinine dialogue and views of such a controversial subject.
Through this organization, it is important that people of color are acknowledged for their commitment to want more and acknowledge their fears, voice the obstacles that has been faced, and even recognize anxieties of their surroundings— without being devalued. Establishing a great support system who truly understands the risk factors that are faced by people of color will be a main priority—this is where the directory will be introduced. The directory will consist of numerous therapists who specializes in everyday issues, and can provide the assistance the people will need.
MORE FACTS
Impact
Racial and ethnic minorities tend to receive a lower quality of healthcare than non-minorities, even when access-related factors, such as patients’ insurance status and income, are controlled they tend to have worse outcomes and poorer quality of care.
The level of unmet needs in people of color is 72% and the use of alternative sources of help includes faith, family, and alternative medicine.
Our ethno cultural influences on mental health care outcomes includes stereotyping; misinterpretation of behavior and belief; lack of symptom recognition; and ignorance of ethno cultural issues
The cultural perception of mental illness affects the likelihood of seeking care is: support; feelings of shame, stigma, and weakness; and help seeking the crisis stage earlier
African Americans and other people of color have lower odds of finding antidepressant medications acceptable.
African Americans and other people of color even have lower odds of finding counseling acceptable.
“Mental health recovery is a journey of healing and transformation enabling a person with a mental health problem to live a meaningful life in a community of his or her choice while striving to achieve his or her full potential.”
HOW CAN YOU HELP
You can support M.I.L.L.I.O.N, by providing a monetary donation that will go toward the funding for this organization. As of now, the up-front costs will go towards building the directory and developing a proper resource tool that will assist with the goals for the organization. Monetary donations will also go towards the mental health awareness events that will take place throughout the community that will offer hands-on assistance, resources for immediate help, and various speakers to assist with relationship-building, financial literacy, and various other stigmatic factors men of color face. In the future, we plan to implement a crowd-source funding tool that will help support the therapists who will offer the free or discounted rate therapy sessions.
In lieu of monetary donations, assistance will be needed through services. If you are interested in offering therapy services, is a healthcare official and can provide resources for the social events, or can offer another service that aligns with the overall mission of M.I.L.L.I.O.N