The Unique Mental Health Challenges BIPOC Individuals Face & How Therapy Helps
Talking about mental health can be tough, but talking about mental health in marginalized communities?
That comes with an extra layer of complexity. BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, and People of Color) individuals often face unique challenges that make accessing care and prioritizing mental well-being much harder.
Let’s break down why that is, what factors contribute to it, and how therapy can help.
How does marginalization affect mental health?
Marginalization isn’t just a buzzword—it’s a real, everyday experience that affects mental health in deep and lasting ways.
When a group of people is pushed to the sidelines by society—whether through systemic racism, economic inequality, or cultural exclusion—their mental health often takes a hit.
People in marginalized communities face stressors that others don’t, like:
Discrimination in daily life – From microaggressions to overt racism, constantly having to justify your existence is exhausting.
Generational trauma – The struggles of past generations don’t just disappear; they can affect mental health in marginalized communities today.
Cultural stigma around mental health – In many BIPOC communities, mental health struggles are seen as personal weaknesses instead of legitimate health concerns.
Living under constant pressure and feeling like you have to work twice as hard just to be seen? Yeah, that’s bound to affect your mental well-being.
What contributes to poor mental health for marginalized communities?
It’s not just one thing—it’s a combination of factors that pile up over time. Some of the biggest contributors include:
Financial stress – Economic disparities often mean less access to stable jobs, housing, and healthcare, all of which are major mental health stressors.
Lack of representation in mental health spaces – Finding a therapist who understands your cultural background can be like searching for a needle in a haystack.
Police violence and community trauma – Ongoing violence and fear create environments where anxiety, PTSD, and depression thrive.
Family and cultural expectations – Many marginalized communities emphasize resilience and toughness, making it harder to admit when support is needed.
All of these factors contribute to why mental health in marginalized communities is such an important conversation.
Without addressing these systemic barriers, we can’t expect mental health outcomes to improve.
Why is mental healthcare less accessible to marginalized communities?
So why is it so hard to access mental healthcare in marginalized communities? Well, there’s a whole laundry list of reasons:
High costs – Therapy can be expensive, and many insurance plans don’t cover mental health the way they should.
Lack of culturally competent providers – Therapy should be a safe space, but when therapists don’t understand the unique experiences of BIPOC individuals, it can make things worse instead of better.
Distrust in medical systems – Historical mistreatment of marginalized communities in healthcare (think: the Tuskegee experiment, forced sterilizations) has left a lasting impact. Many BIPOC individuals hesitate to seek care because, frankly, the system hasn’t always had their back.
Language and cultural barriers – If a therapist doesn’t understand your background, your experiences, or even your language, how can they truly help?
It’s no surprise that mental health in marginalized communities often goes unaddressed when accessing care feels like an uphill battle.
But the good news?
There are ways to work through these challenges and find support that truly helps.
Why do minorities struggle with mental health?
A big reason why minorities struggle with mental health is because they’re often expected to just "push through" challenges rather than seek help.
Many cultures emphasize resilience and survival—because, historically, that’s what was necessary. But mental health struggles don’t go away just because we ignore them.
Other factors include:
The pressure to be "twice as good" – Many BIPOC individuals feel they have to constantly prove themselves in professional and academic spaces, leading to burnout and anxiety.
Experiencing racial trauma – Racism isn’t just frustrating—it’s traumatizing. Facing discrimination on a regular basis can have serious mental health effects.
Lack of community support – In some communities, discussing mental health is taboo. This makes it even harder for people to reach out and get help.
Understanding these struggles is the first step toward addressing them. The next step? Finding support that actually works.
Meet Julleon Garrison, LCSW
If you’ve been struggling with your mental health and want someone who truly understands the complexities of identity and intersectionality, meet Julleon Garrison.
Therapy isn’t just about tackling problems—it’s about having a safe space to explore your thoughts, process emotions, and build a stronger, healthier you.
Julleon brings both personal and professional insight to his work.
He holds a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from Philander Smith University (an HBCU, where he focused on Black Psychology) and a Master of Social Work from the University of Wisconsin Oshkosh.
His specialization includes working with formerly incarcerated individuals, unhoused communities, and people navigating ADHD, BPD, and neurodiversity.
As a Black queer therapist, Julleon understands the importance of feeling seen. He creates an affirming space where clients don’t have to explain the nuances of their identity before getting to the heart of what’s troubling them.
Whether you’re dealing with anxiety, depression, identity struggles, or stress management, he’s here to help.
The Power of Therapy for Marginalized Communities
Therapy isn’t just for people in crisis—it’s a tool for growth, self-discovery, and healing.
In marginalized communities, where mental health struggles are often overlooked or dismissed, therapy can be life-changing. Here’s how it helps:
Breaking generational cycles – Therapy helps people unlearn harmful coping mechanisms and build healthier habits.
Providing a judgment-free space – Talking to a therapist who understands your experiences can be validating and empowering.
Building resilience in healthy ways – Resilience is great, but it shouldn’t come at the expense of your well-being. Therapy can teach you how to navigate challenges without ignoring your mental health.
Addressing internalized stigma – Many people in marginalized communities grow up thinking mental health care isn’t for them. Therapy challenges this idea and makes space for healing.
Mental health in marginalized communities deserves just as much attention and care as any other group’s mental health.
The barriers may be real, but so are the solutions. With culturally competent therapists like Julleon and a growing awareness of these challenges, change is happening.
And if you’re ready to be part of that change—whether for yourself or for your community—taking that first step toward therapy could be the most powerful decision you make.
