HelpGuide July Newsletter

[View in browser]( Dear Friend of HelpGuide, Here in the United States, July is National Minority Mental Health Awareness Month, a time to highlight the struggles that racial and ethnic minorities in our country—and around the world—face with mental health issues. It’s true that, regardless of our ethnic or racial background, mental health problems will impact most of us at some point in our lives, either directly or through a loved one. It’s estimated that one in five American adults will experience a mental health issue in their lifetime, while one in 20 live with a serious mental health condition. However, more than half never receive the treatment they need. For members of our racial and ethnic minority communities, the barriers to mental health care are even more pronounced. Estimates suggest that only 39 percent of Black adults, 25 percent of Asian adults, and 36 percent of Hispanic adults with mental health problems ever find treatment. This can be [for many reasons](, including: Financial barriers. Regardless of race or ethnicity, there’s a lack of mental health services and a dearth of qualified therapists. Coupled with an ever-growing demand for treatment, that means it can be both difficult and expensive to find professional help. Lack of minority mental health care professionals. Even if you have access to a mental health care professional, you'll find that most are white. Studies indicate that a white therapist misinterpreting a minority client’s experience can sometimes lead to misdiagnoses. Discrimination within the health care system. Not only can a lack of cultural understanding result in misdiagnosis or inappropriate treatment, but prejudice against minorities on the part of a medical professional can discourage them from continuing to seek help. Stigma. Mental health still carries a stigma for many people, including those in some minority communities. Many men especially, still see having a mental health problem as a sign of weakness and try to tough it out alone. Whatever your racial or ethnic background, at HelpGuide, we prioritize self-help steps you can take to improve your mental health and well-being. We also work hard to develop affiliate relationships that can make it easier and more affordable to gain access to professional mental health care.   Yours in health,  Melinda Smith Executive Director, HelpGuide ­ Some of our latest content How to Fall Asleep Fast and Sleep Better Tired of tossing and turning at night? These simple tips can help you fall asleep quickly, stay asleep longer, and be more energetic and productive during the day. ­ [Read more]( ­ NA and Other Peer Support Groups for Drug Addiction You don't have to struggle with a substance abuse problem alone. Recovery support and self-help groups like Narcotics Anonymous can offer guidance and motivation. Here’s how they work. ­ [Read more]( ­ Disinhibited Social Engagement Disorder (DSED) Parenting a child who’s over-friendly with strangers can be stressful and emotionally challenging. But by recognizing the symptoms of this attachment disorder, you can keep your child safe and build a secure attachment. ­ [Read more]( ­ Your mental health matters. Take care of yourself in therapy No more waiting days, weeks or even months to find a therapist. Sign up with BetterHelp and you can get matched with a therapist in less than 48 hours. As a HelpGuide reader, sign up in July through the link below and your first month is 20% off. ­ [GET 20% OFF]( ­ As a BetterHelp affiliate, we may receive compensation from BetterHelp if you purchase products or services through the links provided. Mental health news from around the web Memories of childhood abuse and neglect has greater impact on mental health than the experience itself (King's College London) New research has found that the way childhood abuse and/or neglect is remembered and processed has a greater impact on later mental health than the experience itself. The study found that young adults who retrospectively self-reported experiences of childhood maltreatment before age 12 had a greater number of depressive or anxiety episodes over the subsequent decade than those who did not remember maltreatment, even if they had an official court record. [READ MORE →]( Reading for pleasure early in childhood linked to better cognitive performance and mental wellbeing in adolescence (University of Cambridge) Children who begin reading for pleasure early in life tend to perform better at cognitive tests and have better mental health when they enter adolescence, a study of more than 10,000 young adolescents in the US has found. Researchers found that 12 hours a week was the optimal amount of reading, and that this was linked to improved brain structure, which may help explain the findings. [READ MORE →]( Children with anxiety are prescribed medications but little therapy (NBC News) More kids and teenagers with anxiety disorders are not getting the counseling they need. If children and teenagers receive any help for an anxiety disorder, it's usually medication—not counseling—according to a study published in Pediatrics. [READ MORE →]( Poor sense of smell linked to increased risk of depression in older adults (Johns Hopkins Medicine) Researchers at Johns Hopkins Medicine say they have significant new evidence of a link between decreased sense of smell and risk of developing late-life depression. Their findings do not demonstrate that loss of smell causes depression, but suggests that it may serve as a potent indicator of overall health and well-being. [READ MORE →](  In-person mindfulness courses help improve mental health for at least six months, study shows (University of Cambridge) Adults who voluntarily take part in mindfulness courses are less likely to experience symptoms of anxiety and depression for at least six months after completing the programmes, compared to adults who do not take part, a new analysis pooling data from 13 studies has confirmed. [READ MORE →]( ­ Mental health helplines  In the U.S.: [NAMI Helpline]( at 1-800-950-6264. UK: [Mind Infoline](: 0300 123 3393 Australia: [Sane Australia](: 1800 187 263 Canada: [Wellness Together Canada](: 1-866-585-0445 In other countries: Visit HelpGuide's [Directory of International Mental Health Helplines]( Follow Us: ­ ­ ­ ­ JOIN OUR NEWSLETTER Mental health and wellness tips, our latest articles, resources and more. ­ [Subscribe]( ­ ­ HelpGuide.org International, 515 S. Flower St. Suite 1800, Los Angeles, CA, 90071 This email was sent to {EMAIL} You've received it because you've subscribed to our newsletter. If you would no longer like to receive these, please update your email preferences by visiting the link below. [Unsubscribe](  [Privacy Policy](     |      [Terms of Use](