Recent studies reveal significant disparities in mental health care access among college students of different racial and ethnic backgrounds. While mental health concerns have increased across all college students, those from minority groups face unique challenges in seeking treatment.
Researchers from the University of California, San Francisco, led by Natalia Van Doren, Ph.D., examined data from over 5,800 students across 26 colleges and universities. They found that while all students cited preferences for self-reliance, lack of time, and financial difficulties as common barriers, students of color faced additional hurdles.
Black and Hispanic/Latine students reported more financial barriers to treatment than their white peers. However, they also showed greater willingness to seek help. Hispanic/Latine students indicated lower perceived importance of mental health. Asian American students, while facing similar financial constraints, showed lower readiness and willingness to seek help compared to white students.
The study highlights the need for tailored interventions and accessible treatment models for college students. Van Doren and colleagues noted that Black students’ recognition of mental health importance suggests they would likely seek treatment if financial and time barriers were addressed.
A separate study by Imari Z. Smith and Jan’nan G. Read, Ph.D., examined the effects of discrimination on mental health among young adults. They found that while discrimination was associated with psychological distress across all groups, young Black adults demonstrated greater resilience to its effects. This resilience may stem from coping strategies developed even in young adulthood.
These findings underscore the complex interplay of race, ethnicity, and mental health in college settings, emphasizing the need for targeted approaches to improve care access and outcomes for students of color.
See “Mental Health Disparities: Barriers to Care and Resilience Among College Students of Color” (August 2, 2024)
