ValueOptions Addresses Cultural Barriers to Treatment for National Minority Mental Health Awareness Month

NORFOLK, Va., July 11, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- July is National Minority Mental Health Awareness Month, and ValueOptions^®, Inc., a health improvement company specializing in mental and emotional wellbeing and recovery, recognizes that people across every demographic deserve good mental health. One in four adults in the United States will experience a mental illness in a given year. With racial and ethnic minority groups expected to account for 90 percent of the increase in the national population by 2050, a larger number of minority citizens than ever before will experience a mental health issue.

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Sadly, many minority citizens forgo care for behavioral health issues in fear of being stigmatized by their community. According to the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI), fewer than one in 11 Latinos with a mental disorder contact mental health care specialists, and due to cultural stereotypes, many Latinos find they are simply dismissed as having "anger issues" or conduct disorders. African-Americans have reported a similar cultural disconnect to healthcare providers, while others forgo professional support in fear of being stigmatized by their community.

To combat these numbers, ValueOptions is a member of the National Council for Behavioral Health, a non-profit organization dedicated to advocating for access to comprehensive behavioral health services for all Americans. One initiative developed by the National Council is the Addressing Health Disparities Leadership Program, a 10-month forum made up of 15 mid-level managers from community mental health and addiction prevention, treatment and recovery settings. Through both in-person and virtual learning opportunities, participants are guided on the needs of underserved populations, cultural differences as they relate to treatment, and the skills they need to more effectively manage employees.

"We created the Addressing Health Disparities Leadership Program to build a more diverse behavioral health community, and to develop leaders for the evolving healthcare demographic," said Linda Rosenberg, President and CEO, National Council for Behavioral Health. "Through a unique structure of peer-to-peer learning and guidance from expert consultants, participants develop both management skills and cultural competence to assist them in providing high-quality care responsive to all communities."

For further information on the Addressing Health Disparities Leadership Program and program applications, which will be accepted through July 19, visit www.thenationalcouncil.org.  

In addition to nurturing a generation of leaders in behavioral healthcare, recognizing the stigma surrounding mental illness as a barrier to care is a crucial step in supporting those facing a mental illness. Stamp Out Stigma, an initiative developed to foster a dialogue about behavioral health by educating the public on the prevalence of mental illness, shares personal experiences of those impacted by a mental health issue and provides resources available to those who need help. 

"Fear should never stand in the way as a barrier to treatment," said Clarence Jordan, ValueOptions Vice President, Wellness and Recovery. "By approaching mental health as the very common issue it is, we educate the members of every community that treatment is possible."

For more information on Stamp Out Stigma, and to hear stories of those who have been impacted by mental illness, visit www.stampoutstigma.com.

About ValueOptions^®
ValueOptions is a health improvement company that serves more than 32 million individuals. On behalf of employers, health plans and government agencies, we manage innovative programs and solutions that directly address the challenges our health care system faces today. A national leader in the fields of mental and emotional wellbeing, recovery and resilience, employee assistance, and wellness, ValueOptions helps people make the difficult life changes needed to be healthier and more productive. With offices nationwide and a network of more than 130,000 provider locations, ValueOptions helps people take important steps in the right direction. We help them live their lives to the fullest potential. Visit www.valueoptions.com for more information.

About National Council for Behavioral Health   
The National Council for Behavioral Health (National Council) is the unifying voice of America's community mental health and addictions treatment organizations. Together with our 2,000 member organizations, we serve our nation's most vulnerable citizens — the more than 8 million adults and children living with mental illnesses and addiction disorders. We are committed to ensuring all Americans have access to comprehensive, high-quality care that affords every opportunity for recovery and full participation in community life. The National Council pioneered Mental Health First Aid in the U.S. and has trained nearly 100,000 individuals to connect youth and adults in need to mental health and addictions care in their communities.

About Stamp Out Stigma  
Stamp Out Stigma is an initiative to ensure we remove stigma as a barrier to people seeking the care they need to recover. This initiative commits us all to recognize the high prevalence of mental illness and to reeducate ourselves, friends and family on the truths of mental illness. When we do this, we reduce the stigma. This campaign reminds each of us that we can help transform the dialog on mental health from a whisper to a conversation. Visit www.stampoutstigma.com for more ways to starting talking about mental health.

SOURCE ValueOptions