Mental health care disparities have been defined in various ways through research-based evidence that proves that there are substantial deficits in the accessibility of resources for underrepresented communities. The unfair disadvantages are not only rampant in general health, but the lack of support in BIPOC communities shows that it isn’t being prioritized in the majority of these communities.

What happens at the intersection of mental health and experiences as a BIPOC identifying individual? Typically these communities are under-resourced and unheard. According to the Health and Human Services Office of Minority Health, Black adults in the U.S. are more likely than white adults to report persistent symptoms of emotional distress, such as sadness, hopelessness, and feeling like everything is an effort. Despite the needs, only one in three Black adults who need mental health care receive it. And this is just one group of the BIPOC community.

In Latinx communities, the lack of work-life balance solutions has caused some major lasting economic consequences for households throughout the US. As hundreds of thousands of women dropped out of the workforce in September, Latinas led the way, leaving at nearly three times the rate of white women and more than four times the rate of Black women. This list of communities is only growing, which is why it’s important for organizations to take thoughtful measures in order to build helpful solutions that create sustainable futures for mental health and the people they employ.

Our partner, Anthem, has been working rigorously to build solutions that provide culturally competent care to ensure health equity for marginalized communities. Anthem is a leading health benefits company dedicated to improving lives and communities and making healthcare simpler. Through their affiliated companies, Anthem serves more than 79 million people, including approximately 41 million within its family of health plans. They aim to be the most innovative, valuable, and inclusive partner, which is why creating sustainable systems in mental health care is important for them.

Here are some ways that Anthem is leading the charge to close the mental health care gap in BIPOC communities:

1. ADVANCING WHOLE-PERSON CARE

Expertise serving patients across the spectrum, from mild-to-moderate
to chronic & complex

2. ACCESSING CARE

Delivering tailored behavioral health services to individuals wherever
and whenever they need them

3. EMPOWERING INDIVIDUALS

Personalized, data-driven approaches to support the right care for
mental health & wellbeing