Minority Mental Health Matters
July’s Minority Mental Health Awareness Month is a time to raise awareness about how culture, ethnicity, and race have profound effects on mental health. Mental health is deeply personal, and for many in marginalized communities, it can be shaped by factors like systemic inequality and cultural stigma. Discrimination and underrepresentation in the mental health field, combined with language barriers, often make it harder for individuals to receive the support they deserve.
These challenges call for accessible, culturally sensitive support that recognizes each person’s unique background and needs. At Counslr, we’re committed to ensuring that everyone has immediate access to care that is empathetic, inclusive, and stigma-free. Our counselors are mental health professionals who are trained to meet people where they are, offering understanding and respect for diverse experiences. When someone is struggling with anxiety, trauma, identity, or simply needs to be heard, our counselors are available round-the-clock, with support offered in multiple languages through our secure text-based platform.
As part of that commitment, we asked some of our counselors to share their thoughts on common concerns we hear from BIPOC individuals. Their reflections offer practical advice and actionable steps to empower individuals on their own mental health and build more inclusive and supportive communities for all.
While Counslr does not provide therapy, our licensed mental health professionals offer text-based, sub-clinical support grounded in years of experience and cultural insight. We encourage individuals to seek therapy when needed and hope these reflections help guide them.
How do I find a mental health provider who understands my cultural background or lived experience?
As someone born and raised in Puerto Rico, I know firsthand how essential it is to feel culturally understood—not just clinically treated. Growing up in a Hispanic culture rooted in Latino traditions and values, I also understand the challenges that come with seeking mental health support in communities where problems are often expected to be “solved at home.” This mindset can make it even more difficult to reach out for help, especially when it feels like your provider might not fully grasp your lived experience.
Thankfully, the rise of online mental health platforms has expanded access to culturally responsive care for many Latinos, particularly those living outside their countries of origin. So, where do you begin? Start by looking for providers who speak your language, who share or deeply understand your values, and who acknowledge how colonialism, migration, family expectations, or spirituality may shape who you are today. Don’t hesitate to ask providers about their experience working with your community. You deserve care from someone who not only listens but also honors where you come from.
– Ilialí Rivera, LPC, LMHC
What advice do you have for people of color and/or minorities seeking a mental health provider who truly understands them?
As a person of color and member of a minority who has experienced the challenge of finding a provider who truly understands me, I’d like to share some advice that helped me along the way:
Start with an Intentional Search: Look for providers in your area who specifically mention working with culturally diverse populations or having experience with racial and cultural issues. You can also ask for referrals through community groups that advocate for your culture or identity. These spaces often have valuable recommendations for culturally competent professionals.
Go Beyond Appearance; Look for Cultural Humility: While it’s natural to want a provider who looks like you, that’s not always an option. What matters most is finding someone who demonstrates cultural humility, listens without judgment, and is open to learning from your lived experience. Sometimes, what we need most is a professional who can truly listen and validate us, even if they haven’t lived through the same things.
Ask the Right Questions in the First Session: Regardless of whether or not the provider shares your background, it’s essential that you feel comfortable with them. Think of the first session as an interview. You’re evaluating whether this person is the right fit for you. You might ask: “What experience do you have working with clients from [your community or identity group]? How do you incorporate cultural identity into your approach? How do you address systemic oppression or racism in your practice?” Trust your instincts. If something feels off, even if you can’t explain why, it’s okay to keep looking.
The Client-Provider Relationship Matters: How well you connect with your provider is one of the most important factors for successful therapy or mental health support. Feeling heard, understood, and respected has a direct impact on your healing process. Look for a provider who creates a safe space where you can show up as your full self.
You’re Not Overreacting, and Your Needs Are Valid: Wanting a provider who understands your culture, language, or identity shouldn’t be a luxury. You’re not being “too sensitive” or “overthinking it.” Everyone deserves a therapeutic space that honors who they are and makes them feel seen.
– Andrea Rivera, LPC
How can allies—clinicians or otherwise—better support mental health equity?
In today’s interconnected world, it’s almost inevitable that we will interact with individuals from culturally diverse or minority backgrounds, both personally and professionally. As mental health clinicians, this reality makes it even more critical that we actively commit to learning from these communities. There’s a high likelihood that we will work with clients whose cultural backgrounds differ from our own, and it’s our responsibility to be prepared. This means being proactive, engaged, and genuinely curious by asking thoughtful questions, listening deeply, and showing authentic interest in their lived experiences. Doing so not only strengthens our effectiveness as clinicians but also enriches our growth as human beings. If we’re truly committed to advancing equity in mental health care, cultural humility and accountability can’t be optional. They’re essential to building trust and offering support that actually helps.
– Ilialí Rivera, LPC, LMHC
Minority Mental Health Resource Roundup
To support communities of color beyond just this month, we’ve rounded up a collection of online communities and educational resources to help individuals navigate mental health through the lens of race, culture, and identity. Although this is not a comprehensive list, we hope these tools offer meaningful support and open the door to continued growth and understanding.
The Asian Mental Health Collective, the Asian Mental Health Project, and National Asian American Pacific Islander Mental Health Association aim to make mental healthcare more accessible to Asian communities by offering provider directories, blogs, personal stories, peer support opportunities, training programs, and policy advocacy resources.
Organizations such as Black providers Rock, Boris Lawrence Henson Foundation, the Black Mental Health Alliance, and Black Mental Wellness aim to reduce barriers and decrease stigma in Black communities. They offer provider directories, community blogs, free or low-cost support programs, training and networking opportunities, and advocacy or educational resources.
Therapy for Black Girls is a podcast hosted by a licensed psychologist who focuses on mental health topics relevant to Black women and includes discussions on personal development and self-care.
The National Indian Health Board is a non-profit organization that advocates for the needs of indigenous communities in the United States. It is involved with legislation and advocacy for the interests of Indigenous communities, along with providing research and training surrounding health and mental health.
One Sky Center is a federally-funded research center with the purpose of furthering the prevention and treatment of substance abuse and mental health issues among indigenous communities.
All My Relations is a podcast that explores the complexities of Indigenous identities and experiences, including mental health considerations within Native American communities.
Latinx Therapy is a national directory of Latinx mental health professionals and also hosts a weekly podcast that discusses mental health topics related to Latinas, Latinos and Latinx individuals in efforts to demystify myths and diagnosis that truly exist. Therapy for Latinx offers a similar provider directory, along with blog posts and educational resources aimed at increasing visibility and awareness.
The National Latino Behavioral Health Association (NLBHA) advocates for the mental and behavioral health needs of Latino communities nationwide. Their Mental Health Toolkit offers culturally grounded resources on topics like trauma, suicide, and substance use, designed specifically for and with the Hispanic and Latino community. Available in English and Spanish.
Between Sessions is a podcast that features conversations with providers of color about various mental health topics.
Fireflies Unite Podcast is a weekly podcast dedicated to “bringing light into darkness” by sharing the stories of individuals in communities of color who are thriving with mental illness, despite the impact of racism and systemic barriers on their mental health.
Finding culturally responsive mental health care can be challenging, but progress is being made as more providers embrace cultural humility and communities advocate for inclusive support. When we continue these conversations about equity beyond July, lasting change becomes possible for marginalized communities.
About Counslr
Counslr is a text-based mental health support application that is designed to reach the otherwise unreachable population with an affordable, remote, and instant solution to access fully licensed mental health professionals whenever and wherever help is needed. Electronic mental health services have emerged as an effective solution, and text-based support in particular provides the anonymity, convenience, and early intervention efficacy that both counselors endorse and users demand. Counslr’s unrivaled accessibility allows users to address mild symptoms in a timely manner before they evolve into more severe issues, which is a crucial step in overall preventative mental health care today.
The views and opinions expressed here are solely those of the author and should not be attributed to Counslr, Inc., its partners, its employees, or any other mental health professionals Counslr employs. You should review this information and any questions regarding your specific circumstances with a medical professional. The content provided here is for informational and educational purposes only and should not be construed as counseling, therapy, or professional medical advice.