Addressing the stigma and inequalities in mental health
“’There are linguistic and cultural differences for the immigrant population, and then there were also most minorities do not have insurance,’ Pastor Parson said. ‘They may not be able to get off their jobs because they have to work because they don’t have anyone or any finances to provide for them other than they get out and go to work to take care of their families. So that is a barrier.’
Dr. Bola Olugbola is a psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner in Randallstown, Maryland who agrees with Pastor Parson. She says that some of her patients and other prospective patients might be worried about the financial strain of seeking out help for their mental health.
‘This is somebody that cannot afford their meal, you are telling them to come and pay $50 after seeing me, you know, imagine Maslow’s hierarchy of need,’ Dr. B said.
Dr. B, as she is known to her patients, says that the lack of providers and the cost also contributes to the issue.”