The incidence of psychological disorders in the United States keeps rising each year—a notable statistic in light of the fact that May is Mental Health Awareness Month. According to the National Institute of Mental Health, anxiety disorders are the most common mental illness in the U.S., affecting approximately 40 million adults aged 18 and over, accounting for about 18.1% of the U.S. population every year.
Research shows individuals with disabilities are at a higher risk of experiencing depression compared to people without disabilities. Factors such as chronic health conditions, social isolation, limited access to healthcare, and barriers to employment and educational services can contribute to this increased risk.
Unfortunately, people with disabilities often face additional challenges in accessing mental health services for treatment for inaccessibility, ableism, and a lack of provider knowledge of multicultural disability competency (MDC) training. These barriers result in over half (56%) of adults with a mental illness condition receiving no treatment, as reported by Mental Health America. This is compounded by discrimination related identities such as gender, age, socioeconomic status, race/ethnicity, and sexual orientation.
As we uplift mental health throughout this month, it’s crucial to remember that there is a strong nexus between the body and the mind. The brain is the powerhouse of the body, and it controls all of the body’s essential functioning, which can be greatly impacted by emotional and psychological stress. There are many healthy practices to maintain one’s mental well-being. Strategies such as daily exercise, eating a diet rich in fruits and vegetables, using mindfulness practices, hypnotherapy, journaling, reading, and therapeutic massage are all key. It can also help to work with a mental health clinician trained in MDC.
Finding a therapist trained in MDC can be arduous. This is why CIDNY recently launched a comprehensive continuing education course in MDC for licensed mental health counselors and social workers practicing in New York State. CIDNY wants to provide essential information about the knowledge, skills, and attitudes needed for clinicians to be better equipped to work with the disability community. Additionally, clinicians who take the course will have an opportunity to join CIDNY’s subscription service to receive referrals for consumers with disabilities who request treatment from a therapist trained in MDC. For further information regarding CIDNY’s MDC program, please visit us online at cidny.org or call 212-674-2300.
Opinions expressed are solely those of the writer(s) and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of Able News at The Viscardi Center and/or The Viscardi Center.