Getting Help: How to Start the Conversation and Find Professional Services

By Felicia Wong, M.D.

Many people don’t seek mental health care when they need it. This is particularly true for members of ethnic minorities, for whom physical illness is often considered more culturally acceptable than mental illness. Research has shown, for example, that Asian Americans are three times less likely than members of other ethnic groups to seek mental health services. This has more to do with lack of appropriate services, and barriers to services—including stigma, language and cultural differences—rather than the lack of need for services.

The important thing to remember is that with proper treatment, most symptoms of mental illness can be controlled. If the possibility of mental illness is a concern for you or someone you care about, please recognize there is no shame in seeking treatment and/or help.

Over the years, many people have asked me how to get help for themselves, a family member or a friend who is suffering. Navigating the mental health system is not easy, and the stigma and shame associated with mental illness make it even more difficult. Where someone may find it easy to ask a friend to recommend a family doctor or a dentist, people sometimes hesitate to ask about psychiatrists or therapists due to fears of being judged, or perhaps appearing "emotionally weak".

There are many places to go for help. A good place to start is by asking your family doctor or primary care doctor. In a crisis, emergency rooms can provide temporary relief for you or a loved one, and emergency room personnel may be able to guide you to further help.

Other potential resources include:

• mental health specialists such as psychiatrists, psychologists, social workers or mental health counselors;


• community mental health centers;


• hospital psychiatry departments, outpatient clinics and/or inpatient units;


• family services, social agencies, or clergy;


• peer support groups;


• private clinics and facilities;


• employee assistance program; or


• the phone book or web - search "mental health," "health," "social services," "hotlines," or "physicians" for phone numbers and addresses.

For more information on how to find and choose a psychiatrist and what to expect in treatment, read about Choosing a Psychiatrist on Healthyminds.org,

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Posted in: Asian American,family,Felicia Wong MD,getting help,mental illness,minority mental health,psychiatrist,stigma,treatment

Faith & Mental Wellness in the African American Community

By Gina N. Duncan, M.D.

For many in the African American community, faith is an integral part of life.  In one study, approximately 85 percent of African American respondents described themselves as “fairly religious” or “religious” and considered prayer a common way of coping with stress.   

My training as a psychiatrist coupled with my background enables me to have a unique perspective on the field of psychiatry as it relates to the African American community.  I come from a Southern, deeply religious African American family of educators.  My grandfather, a gifted musician, suffered from depression for most of his adult life.  While it did not prevent him from having a successful career as a school principal, civic leader, and church member, it did prevent him from enjoying his blessings more fully.  This has had a ripple effect in my family, which continues to be felt even three generations out.  Fortunately, because of the struggles we observed in our grandfather, the younger members of my family have become much more vocal about our own stresses, and are determined to not let history repeat itself.

For many of us, emotional issues and mental illness are inextricably linked to issues of faith.  Some may view depression as a punishment for sin, psychotic illness as the presence of demons, or anxiety as a lack of faith in God’s ability to provide.  As a person of faith myself, I can say that faith provides a holistic view of life and of the meaning behind our individual experiences and struggles.  However, that does not mean that we cannot make use of all the resources available to us.  After all, if we have a headache we take Tylenol, right?  And if your doctor tells you to take medicine for your diabetes and high blood pressure, you listen.

Some emotional problems can be fully resolved with talk therapy and support.  However, more serious problems such as recurrent depression, thoughts of suicide, schizophrenia, or bipolar disorder often require medication in addition to other forms of treatment.  This is an exciting time in the field of psychiatry and brain science, as we learn more and more about the biological basis of many mental illnesses.  And the good news is that there are many proven, effective treatments.

African Americans are a resilient people.  In honor of Black History Month, let’s make a commitment to living our best lives.  That means getting the help you need.  If you think you are suffering from depression, anxiety, or another mental illness, please know that it does not affect you alone.  It impacts your spouse, your children, and your community.  There are a lot of resources on HealthyMinds.org to help you get started.

Let your light shine—don’t let it be diminished by a treatable condition!

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Posted in: faith,Gina Duncan MD,minority mental health,treatment

Are Depression Symptoms the Same Across Cultures?

By Gabriella Corá , M.D., MBA



Although, as psychiatrists, we make a diagnosis of depression given a specific set of signs and symptoms, the way in which depression manifests may be different across cultures.



In addition to stigma, many Latinos struggle with acculturation issues, lack of insurance coverage and difficulty communicating with healthcare professionals who are not culturally proficient.



Barriers to care also affect African American communities. The diversity of the Latino, African American as well as the Asian communities is often minimized. Many believe that because someone has the same skin color or speaks the same language they have a similar set of needs. In fact, Spanish-speaking African Americans need tailored interventions to address Latino as well as African American cultural needs in order to effectively treat depression or other mental health disorders.



What to do?



1. Learn about depression: look for good sources of information.



2. Seek for help: Tell your doctor you or your loved one may be experiencing depression. If you don’t have a doctor, go to a community mental health clinic and let staff know you need help.



3. Become familiar with cultural differences in the diagnosis and treatment of depression: ask your doctor if his/her office has culturally-competent or culturally-proficient staff to help you. Cultural proficiency goes beyond speaking the language.



4. Be open to staff: Although the doctor’s office may not have culturally-competent staff, healthcare professionals may be very familiar with working across cultures. The “I can only be treated by someone who looks or talks like me” is a myth. Although this may help in the beginning, we know caring and empathic staff will be able to help you beyond gender, color, ethnicity or language.

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Posted in: depression,minority mental health