Experiencing symptoms of anxiety, depression, grief, or other mental health concerns, including substance use, can cause a person to feel isolated, afraid, confused, or even angry.  These feelings may lead to thoughts of, “no one understands my situation, or I’m fine, it is just how things are,” or even expressing, “they say, time heals all wounds, I just have to give time-time.”  When thinking of seeking help, some may believe that they cannot afford treatment services, or may not know where to go for services, then others may believe they can handle what they are experiencing without treatment or the aid of others. Have you experienced any of these thoughts or feelings, if yes, you are not alone!

Research Shows

The National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) reported in 2017, more than 17 million people had at least one major depressive episode, they noted that depression is a condition that can result in severe impairments interfering with or limiting one’s ability to fulfill major life functioning.  NIMH reported mental health conditions, such as depression is one of the most common mental health problems in the United States.  Their research showed that adults ages 18-25 years-old had the highest rate of depression at 13.1 percent, and among those surveyed females were higher at 8.7 percent compared to males at 5.3 percent.  NIMH also noted that approximately 35 percent of adults with major depressive episode did not receive treatment.  In another research conducted by Han et al. (2017), showed that approximately 3.3 percent of the US adult population, or 7.7 million adults, had co-occurring disorders of the 325,800 adults who participated in the National Survey on Drug Use and Health in the period of 2008 to 2014.  Han et al. (2017), reported that during the twelve months before the survey interview, 52.5 percent received neither mental health or substance use services, 34.5 percent received mental health services only, 9.1 percent received services for both mental health and substance use, and 3.9 percent received substance use services only.

Cultural/Ethnic Disparities

There is also cultural/ethnic disparities among those seeking services for substance use and mental health concerns. Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc., and the National Institute on Minority Health and Health Disparities (NIMHD) launched an initiative titled, “Brother, You’re on My Mind,” to help start conversations about mental health, especially, among African American men and their families.  They reported cultural mistrust of mental health professionals and health care professionals in general was common in the African American community.  The initiative reported that about one in five Americans struggle with a mental illness regardless of their race, and for African Americans experiencing depressive occurrences, it is more disabling, persistent, and they are more resistant to treatment than White Americans.  The initiative also stated that less than half of all Americans with a mental disorder get the treatment they need, but the proportion of African Americans who need mental health treatment and get it, is only half compared to that of White Americans. Omega Psi Phi Fraternity and NIMHD also reported African Americans are 20 percent more likely to experience serious psychological distress than Whites and that suicide is the third leading cause of death among African Americans ages 15 to 24 years old.  Their report also states that African American men are four times more likely to die by suicide than African American women.

You are not Alone! 

The results of these studies and various other studies show the documented need for services for those with co-occurring substance use and mental health conditions, especially among African Americans.  While there may be reasons that prevent people from seeking services for mental health problems, such as, thinking they can handle their problems without treatment, not knowing where to go for treatment, or experiencing stigma associated with mental health conditions, you are not alone. There is Hope-Help is available! 

Source:

1. Han, B., Compton, W. M., Blanco, C., & Colpe, L. J. (2017). Prevalence, Treatment, And Unmet Treatment Needs Of US Adults With Mental Health And Substance Use Disorders. Health affairs (Project Hope), 36(10), 1739–1747. https://doi.org/10.1377/hlthaff.2017.0584
2. National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) Office of Science Policy, Planning, and Communications. Bethesda, MD. Major Depression. Retrieved on March 21, 2021 from NIMH » Major Depression (nih.gov)
3. National Library of Medicine. He who conceals his disease cannot expect to be cured – Digital Collections – National Library of Medicine (nih.gov)
4. Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc., and NIMHD have launched Brother, You’re on My Mind: Changing the National Dialogue Regarding Mental Health Among African American Men, an initiative to help start conversations about mental health. Retrieved on March 21, 2021 from Brother, You’re On My Mind (nih.gov)