Recent studies show:

• SAMHSA says Black and Hispanic youth get less mental health care than white youth.
• A 2021 NIDA survey found overall drug use rates are the same across racial groups but students of color face more severe consequences from substance use.
• APA says Asian American college students are 1.6 times more likely to attempt suicide than white students.

To any analyst, it seems clear: these numbers require targeted interventions and support systems.

Cultural Factors: The Hidden Forces

The Weight of Cultural Expectations

For many students of color cultural expectations play a big role in their mental health disorders and attitudes toward substance use:

• In some Asian American communities, there is a lot of pressure to succeed academically which leads to stress and anxiety.
• African American students face the “strong Black woman/man” stereotype which prevents them from seeking help for mental health issues.
• Latino students may have the expectation of being a caregiver which adds to their stress.

Understanding these mental health needs and dynamics is key.

The Double-Edged Sword of Education

Predominantly White Institutions (PWIs)

Many students of color find themselves in educational environments where they are the minority which brings its own challenges:

• Microaggressions and subtle forms of discrimination can erode mental health.
• The pressure to represent one’s entire race or ethnicity can be too much.
• Feeling alone or out of place can lead to anxiety and depression.

These can sometimes drive students to self-medicate with drugs or alcohol as a coping mechanism.

Supporting the mental health of students of color is crucial and having targeted programs and resources such as culturally competent counseling and mental health services can be the support they need.