Estimated duration: 4-5 minutes
SALT LAKE CITY — More and more Americans are dealing with stress and mental health issues, but a recent study found that African Americans are less likely to get help.
Recent research A study by the National Mental Health Alliance, NAMI, found that African-American and black adults in the United States were more likely than white adults to report symptoms of persistent emotional distress.
Dr. William Smith, Chief Executive Officer of the Huntsman Mental Health Institute said:
Smith said it was called Race battle fatigue. He said that people of color suffer from various forms of mental, emotional and physical strain, which can lead to psychophysiological symptoms.
“This is the exhaustion and stress overload of our psychology, emotions and physiology,” he said.
However, despite the need for mental health services, 1 in 3 black adults receive treatment for mental illness.
“A lot of the time it’s the people who have the resources who get help,” says Smith.
“Treatment is expensive, so putting food on the table and eating it comes first,” says Salt Lake City therapist Breanna Lambert.
Awareness about mental illness can also be a hurdle to care, says Janetta Williams, president of the NAACP Salt Lake Chapter.
“There is also the stigma of not wanting people to know that if I seek mental health care, they think there is something wrong with me and they need care.
In many cases, it is the person who has the resources who receives the help.
– Dr. Huntsman Mental Health Institute, William Smith
Lambert said he wants to change that.
She recently became a therapist and said less than 1% of mental health professionals in Utah are black.
“Most of my clients come just because they want to meet someone else like them,” she said. I am honored to be able to do that for people.”
What the Huntsman Mental Health Institute Offers counseling service to anyone who needs it. For immediate help, call the national hotline 988 or the Utah Crisis Line at 1-800-273-8255.
suicide prevention resources
Call, text, or chat if you or someone you know is experiencing suicidal thoughts or showing warning signs 988 Lifelines of Suicide and Crisis Crisis Counselors are available 24/7 at 988. Huntsman Institute of Mental HealthAll calls to traditional crisis hotlines, including the old National Suicide Prevention Hotline at 1-800-273-8255, will also be routed to crisis care workers at the Huntsman Institute of Mental Health.
Other resources
SafeUT: Parents, students, and educators can chat with licensed crisis counselors. SafeUT App Or call 833-3SAFEUT (833-372-3388).
SafeUT Frontline: First responders, including firefighters, law enforcement, EMS, and medical professionals, can chat with a licensed crisis counselor for free 24/7. SafeUT Frontline App.
SafeUTNG: Members of the National Guard can chat for free 24/7 with a licensed crisis counselor. SafeUTNG App.
Utah Warm Line: If you are in a non-crisis situation and need to be heard as you heal and recover from your personal struggles, call 1-833 SPEAKUT. .
of Huntsman Institute of Mental Health Suicide Prevention and Crisis Services, Hospital Care, Treatment and Medication Management, Substance Use and Addiction Recovery, Children and Teenage Programs, Maternal Mental Health, including Birth Trauma, Miscarriage, Infertility, and Perinatal We offer a variety of programs and services such as: Mood and anxiety disorders.
LiveOnUtah.org A statewide effort to prevent suicide by promoting education, providing resources, and changing Utah’s culture about suicide and mental health. They provide resources for faith-based groups, LGBTQ+, youth, employers, firearm suicide prevention, crisis and treatment options.
Other community-based resources
Yuta Nami Provides education, support and advocacy for individuals and families affected by mental illness.
American Suicide Prevention Foundation It provides funding for prevention programs, public education, support for survivors of loss, and research.
surround utah : LGBTQ+ Family and Youth Resource Center.
Utah Pride Center Empowering Utah’s diverse LGBTQ+ community.
trevor project : LGBTQ Teenage Resource Center.
US Department of Veterans Affairs Mental Health
Latino Behavioral Health Services
workplace mental health center Provide employers with suicide prevention and response.
