SAMHSA Resources for Multicultural Health Disparities

Nearly 30 years ago, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) released a report from the Task Force on Black and Minority Health (now the Office of Minority Health and Health Equity) documenting health disparities and analyzing the major factors that contributed to health status for African Americans, Hispanics, Asian Americans, Pacific Islanders, and Native Americans. While much progress has been made over these past few decades, recent reports show that health disparities still exist, particularly as they relate to mental health and substance use issues.

The SAMHSA Resource Center to Promote Acceptance, Dignity and Social Inclusion Associated with Mental Health (ADS Center) works to promote a fuller awareness and increase understanding by providing a broad range of educational materials to support public education and community outreach efforts in diverse communities throughout the Nation.

Visit our Web site at http://www.promoteacceptance.samhsa.gov to check out the following examples of the valuable resources we offer to help promote social inclusion and support individuals in pursuing recovery and full participation within their own multicultural communities:

• Visit MentalHealth.gov to access information on mental health and substance use issues, learn about warning signs of issues in these areas, discover how to starting meaningful conversations about health and well-being, and get assistance finding help in your area for either yourself or for a loved one. Find this and other Resource Organizations at the Information by AUDIENCE: Consumers section of our Web site at http://www.promoteacceptance.samhsa.gov/audience/consumers/organizations.aspx. 

• Read the UC Davis Center for Reducing Health Disparities’ Building Partnerships series, which was created based on interviews with individuals in underserved populations, including Hmong, Native American, and African American groups. The reports discuss unique considerations and concerns voiced by community members from each of these groups and include direct quotes from respondents. Find these resources and more at the Books, Articles and Research page of our Information by TOPIC: Culture section at http://www.promoteacceptance.samhsa.gov/topic/culture/books.aspx. 

• Check out Think Cultural Health, sponsored by the Office of Minority Health’s Center for Linguistic and Cultural Competence in Health Care. This initiative works to enhance the quality of healthcare services to diverse populations by offering resources and tools to help people who provide a range of types of care (e.g., medical, dental, disaster response) to be culturally competent in their work. These resources include accredited online education programs, as well as guides and information. Visit the Resource Organizations page at the Information by TOPIC: Culture section of our Web site at http://www.promoteacceptance.samhsa.gov/topic/culture/organizations.aspx for information about this and other valuable organizations.

• Read the HHS Action Plan to Reduce Racial and Ethnic Health Disparities, which was released by HHS in 2011 to address health disparities among racial and ethnic minorities. The plan focuses on policies and programs to address these issues and also on how the department can best promote integrated, evidence-based services and best practices within established healthcare systems. This plan includes discussion on how the HHS can leverage the Affordable Care Act in addressing these issues. Find this resource and many more at the Brochures, Fact Sheets, Guides and Toolkits page of the Information by TOPIC: Culture section of our Web site at http://www.promoteacceptance.samhsa.gov/topic/culture/brochures.aspx. 

Take a look and get inspiration from past Campaign for Social Inclusion awardee projects, many of which focused on reaching out to underserved populations and promoting mental health and wellness within these communities as well as in the general community.

• For the fourth award year in a row, Heartland Consumer Network, a program of St. Louis Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance, hosts Poetry for Personal Power, which uses performance art to share messages of resiliency with young people who rarely hear peer-based mental health information. Learn more about their project and other 2013 awardees at http://www.promoteacceptance.samhsa.gov/CSI/awards/2013awardees.aspx. 

• Peers Envisioning and Engaging in Recovery Services (PEERS), a 2011 awardee, created a documentary film highlighting the personal stories of youths living with behavioral health issues and the impact of violence and trauma in the urban community of Oakland, CA. Issues such as the influence of racism, violence, trauma, cultural norms, and socioeconomic status are discussed. Learn more about this project and other 2011 awardees at http://www.promoteacceptance.samhsa.gov/CSI/awards/2011awardees.aspx.

• SC SHARE’s The Dream Team campaign created community dialogue about behavioral health and public perceptions through a group of inspirational speakers who shared their personal stories of recovery through social media, youth rallies, Facebook, and mass text messaging. The goal was to transform the way that young African American adults in rural South Carolina communities viewed mental and substance use disorders and their treatment. Learn more about this project and other 2010 awardees at http://www.promoteacceptance.samhsa.gov/CSI/awards/2010awardees.aspx.  

We invite you to explore other ADS Center Web site resources including our Campaigns and Programs section at http://www.promoteacceptance.samhsa.gov/campaigns/default.aspx, My Story recovery stories section at http://www.promoteacceptance.samhsa.gov/publications/mystory, and the Archived Training Teleconferences section at http://www.promoteacceptance.samhsa.gov/teleconferences/archive/default.aspx, and to use the materials we have available to support your work in the community.

Also, stay tuned for a new En español section to be added to the ADS Center Web site in the coming months!