Supporting Mental Health Across Identities 

In consideration of Hispanic Heritage Month, National Recovery Month, and Suicide Prevention Month in September, and Mental Illness Awareness Week from Oct. 5-11th, World Mental Health Day on October 10th, Indigenous Peoples’ Day on October 13th, and Global Diversity Awareness Month, we want to explore the crucial intersection of mental health, culture, and identity. 

Understanding how backgrounds and identities shape mental health experiences is important in building an aware and accepting community. This edition of Community Tips will discuss the intersection of mental health, culture, identity, and religion. It examines how our diverse backgrounds shape our understanding of and access to mental health care and support, and what we can do to foster a more inclusive and supportive community at Indiana University. 

Backgrounds, Identities, and How They Influence Mental Health

Our cultural background and identities are integral to who we are. They influence our values, beliefs, and the way we navigate the world. They also shape our attitudes and perceptions of mental health. For some people, mental health is openly discussed without any stigma, while for others it is a private issue or a taboo topic. The language we use in describing our emotional well-being varies, too. What one person calls depression, another person might call fatigue or stress. This different language choice affects how mental health perceptions differ. These cultural and language differences present a tradeoff. For some people, their culture and identity provide resilience and support in the face of mental health challenges, whereas for some others, culture and identity can present significant barriers to seeking and receiving appropriate care. 

Mental health issues intersect with our complex personal identities, creating different types of experiences. The data below demonstrates how mental health challenges vary across different identities. 

  • Graduate students are six times more likely to experience anxiety or depression compared to the general population.1 
  • Nearly eight in ten students indicated that mental or emotional difficulties negatively impacted their academic performance.2 
  • Adults with disabilities experience frequent mental distress almost five times as often as adults without disabilities.3 
  • Black and Hispanic individuals are less likely to receive support for mental health even when cases of fair or poor mental health are higher than white individuals. In fact, in 2022, 38% of Black adults, 36% of Asian adults, and 40% of Hispanic adults received services compared to White adults at 56%.4  
  • LGBTQ+ youth are reporting serious thoughts of suicide at a rate of 41% compared to 13% for non-LGBTQ+ students.5 
  • Discrimination is shown to cause depression at a rate of 5x that of an individual who was not exposed to discrimination, and 9x the odds of screening for both depression and anxiety.6 

For example, social norms about men may make it difficult for men to talk about mental health issues, as they perceive admitting to mental health struggles is a sign of weakness or being “unmanly.”7  Women, on the other hand, may encounter different barriers. For example, when they report mental health concerns, they may not be taken as seriously by health providers or friends and family due to stereotypes that characterize women as being “emotional” or overly “dramatic.”7 As these examples illustrate, norms and biases can influence support and treatment of mental health. Working through the stigma associated with mental health issues is also an important factor, and these complexities pose different challenges for different identities. 

Understanding Cultural Stigma

Cultural stigma involving mental illness is often a significant barrier to accessing care, preventing many from seeking the support they need. In some communities, there is a fear of judgment, shame, and discrimination associated with mental health conditions. A study by Frontiers in Public Health found that fear of judgment and discrimination often prevents people in some minority communities from seeking help for mental health issues.8 The National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) says that Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders have the lowest help-seeking rate of any racial/ethnic group, with less than a quarter of adults with a mental illness receiving treatment.9This is often attributed to cultural values that emphasize stoicism and the avoidance of bringing shame to one's family.  

Similarly, in some Hispanic/Latinx communities, there is a strong reliance on family and faith leaders for support, which can sometimes delay or prevent individuals from seeking professional mental health services. Some cultures see these struggles and seeking help for them as a symbol of a weak person or as a moral failing, especially when accompanied by religious beliefs. Others feel as if they need to look to their religion and morals for support.10 Cultural structures provide powerful sources of community support, especially in times of distress. However, some individuals face a conflict between these community values and the need for professional mental health care. The goal is not to replace these resilient support systems, but to integrate them with clinical resources, ensuring that care is effective and culturally competent. 

Mental Health and Support is Not One-Size Fits All

We must recognize that our identities are not monolithic. We are multifaceted individuals with overlapping identities that intersect to create unique experiences of the world. Factors such as race, ethnicity, gender identity, sexual orientation, socioeconomic status, and disability can compound the challenges of seeking mental health support. A study on intersectionality and mental health in university students found that those with multiple marginalized identities were at a higher risk for severe symptoms of anxiety and depression.11  

Therefore, a one-size-fits-all approach to mental health, even though it may work for a narrow group of individuals, could be ineffective - and maybe even harmful – for many more people. Support and healing look unique for everyone -- what works for one person may not always work for another. While some groups or individuals may consider a specific treatment more conventional, a mix of approaches including therapy, spirituality, support groups, clinical care, or a mix of some of these provide the greatest help to some people. This demonstrates the importance of being culturally competent to provide care and support that acknowledges and respects everyone’s unique experiences. 

Mental Health, Identity, and Their Influence on Education for Graduate Students

The pressure of academia can be immense and overwhelming, particularly for graduate and international students. The combination of academic rigor, financial strain, and loneliness can take a significant toll on mental well-being. 

Graduate students often face: 

  • Imposter Syndrome: A feeling of inadequacy and self-doubt, despite evidence of their accomplishments. 
  • Work-Life Imbalance: The demanding nature of research, studies, and teaching can lead to burnout and neglect of personal well-being. 
  • Financial Strain: The burden of student loans and the cost of living can be a major source of stress. 

International students face a unique set of challenges, including: 

  • Cultural Adjustment: Adapting to a new country, a new educational system, and new social norms can be overwhelming. 
  • Language Barriers: Difficulty communicating can lead to feelings of isolation and frustration, even those who speak English fluently may find it difficult communicating due to their accent. 
  • Loneliness and Lack of Community: Being far from home and family can exacerbate feelings of loneliness and homesickness which may lead them to become isolated and emotionally stressed. 

What Faculty, Staff, and Graduate Students Should Know About Mental Health Stigma

Mental health challenges are a widespread and growing concern in workplaces of all kinds. 12, 13 Organizations often make matters worse when jobs demand long hours, limit autonomy, or foster poor relationships.12 Stigma is another barrier: many organizations still treat mental health as less legitimate than physical health, offering limited support and fueling fears of judgment.12, 14 Even with resources available, employees may avoid help, worried that coworkers will resent accommodations or supervisors will see them as less capable.12, 14 Avoiding or hiding these struggles not only strains individuals psychologically, but also imposes financial costs on organizations.15 

Leaders can change this. Here are three suggestions. First, leaders can share stories of colleagues who sought help—one large organization saw an 8% increase in sign-ups, with 29 more employees receiving care; researchers estimate that scaling this approach could add 2,000 more participants.16 Second, organizations can train managers to spot warning signs and respond with empathy, which helps connect employees to resources and reduces stigma.14 Finally, leaders can foster open conversations and take visible action to signal that mental health matters, strengthening well-being, productivity, and workplace culture.12 

Action Tips

Listen with Empathy: When someone shares their story, listen without judgment. Practical validation can mean saying “Thank you for sharing that with me” or “That sounds difficult, and I believe you.” Avoid comparing their experience to your own or questioning its validity. This can be the beginning of them feeling supported. 

Educate Yourself and Share Resources: Learn and teach others about mental health issues and how different communities are affected or marginalized. Instead of learning about “mental health” broadly, intentionally seek out resources that focus on specific communities and identities. You can listen to podcasts from ‘Therapy for Black Girls’ or learn about mental health challenges facing disabled persons. When you share information and resources, share these identity-focused resources not just generic ones. 

Challenge Stigma: Stigma manifests in various forms. When you encounter a stereotype or observe bias that reinforces stigma, address it in a thoughtful manner. When someone talks about a group’s supposed resilience, counter it by saying “Being strong, doesn’t mean you don’t need support.” Speak up when you see mental health discussions that ignore cultural context. Normalizing conversations makes it easier for people to share their differences. 

Advocate and Support: Advocacy can be as simple as helping a friend find the right mental health care. Support policies and organizations that provide free or low-cost mental healthcare to marginalized groups. 

Practice Self-Care: Prioritize your own mental well-being. You cannot pour from an empty cup. This could mean belonging to a student group, cultural community for people with a shared background, or engaging in practices that promote well-being. 

Mental Health Resources at IU Bloomington

Indiana University Bloomington offers a range of resources to support the mental health and well-being of our community: 

  • Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS): CAPS provides free and confidential counseling services to all IU students who have paid the student health fee. To schedule an initial consultation, call 812-855-5711. For after-hours crisis support, call the same number and press option 1. 
  • TimelyCare: This service offers free, 24/7 virtual mental health support to IU students. Visit Timely Care. 
  • Employee Assistance Program (EAP): EAP provides confidential counseling and support for faculty, staff and their household members with stress, anxiety, grief, work-life balance, and more. Their 24/7 support hotline is  888-881-5462. 
  • The 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline provides free, confidential support to people in suicidal crisis or emotional distress 24 hours a day, 7 days a week in the US. 
  • Student Engagement Roster: The student engagement roster is a tool that allows faculty to communicate with students and provide feedback to improve learning. It can also serve as a tool to check in with students struggling with their academics or having frequent absences. Frequent absences and academic struggles are a telltale sign of poor mental health. Faculty can also create their own ways to check in periodically with students. 

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