Our culture, beliefs, sexual identity, values, race and language all affect how we perceive and experience mental health conditions. Cultural differences can influence what treatments, coping mechanisms and supports work for us. This page describes specific cultural attitudes toward mental health.

This paper from the Surgeon General reveals the diverse effects of culture and society on mental health, mental illness, and mental health services.

These factsheets provide a snapshot of the current state of mental health of minority populations and some factors that may contribute to mental health disparities among these groups.

In counseling situations with minorities, more than 50% of clients do not return for a second visit with a counselor. This chapter explores why.

Understanding mental health disparities across racial/ethnic groups in the United States is becoming increasingly important to the nation's overall mental health status, as well as for understanding persistent barriers to mental health treatment. The discussion here covers theoretical frameworks and empirical research examining the roles of socioeconomic, sociocultural, and genetic factors in producing and maintaining disparities in the prevalence of mental health disorders and access to quality treatment.