MCAT Psychological, Social, and Biological Foundations of Behavior: Passage 2 — Flashcards

Use the following passage:

Many people believe mental illness cannot happen to them. However, one in five adults in America experiences symptoms of a mental health condition each year. Although mental illness affects people in all walks of life, culture plays an important role in its impact. Many minority groups do not receive adequate mental health treatment. This is often due to labeling. Individuals from some racial and ethnic communities who display mental health deficits often experience a more serious disease course than the general population and often receive misdiagnoses.

Another problem for minority groups is the lack of access to quality services. Lack of mental health insurance and inability to pay for prescription medicines (such as antidepressants) often lead to ignored signs of illness. Furthermore, minorities have faced discrimination and biases across social institutions; they often feel that getting help is not worth the additional stress it may bring. Educational support and an increase in quality of service would be valuable in fighting the labeling associated with mental illness in these diverse minority communities.
 

Mental disorders are extremely common, and the hope is that as more people let go of the shame associated with what they are experiencing, labeling will diminish. The sooner that education, support, and quality services become available for all, the sooner those with a mental illness will find hope.