Minority Mental Health Month in July gives us an opportunity to highlight a growing and increasingly visible population: Arab Americans. According to the estimates of the Arab American Institute, there are approximately 3.7 million Arab Americans. Originally from 22 different countries across the Middle East and North Africa, Arab Americans embody a rich tapestry of traditions and beliefs that further enrich American society. What do we know about mental health conditions for this emerging population in the US?
Arab American Mental Health
Arab Americans often face barriers to mental health care, resulting in their underrepresentation in mental health services, resources, and research. The mental health landscape for Arab Americans is influenced by historical and political factors, with many who have fled political violence and religious persecution experiencing higher levels of depression and anxiety. Culture stress further contributes to depression, with percentages reaching up to 50% in some studies. Socio-economic challenges, such as higher poverty rates, lack of health insurance, and lower home ownership compared to non-Hispanic whites, they are at increased risk for mental health challenges.
In Arab American communities, stigma often manifested as a reluctance to recognize mental health problems and seek professional care. Stigma within the community, combined with a lack of familiarity with the complex behavioral health system, makes accessing mental health services difficult. This often prevents people from seeking professional help, causing them to rely on it family support Instead. When Arab Americans seek mental health treatment, language barriers and poor communication with professionals can often lead to ineffective care. To provide effective mental health care, it is important for health professionals to understand family dynamics, religious practices, and spiritual beliefs within the Arab American experience. Similar challenges may exist for substance use disorders.
Common misconception, discrimination and misclassification
A common misconception is that all Arabs are Muslims. Arabs are an ethno-linguistic group united by the Arabic language, while Muslims are people who follow the Islamic faith. Actually, only about 23 percent of Arab Americans are Muslimwith many others to be Christian, Druze, Jewish, Mandaean or have other religions and secular identities. Conflating Arab identity with Islamic faith perpetuates stereotypes and contributes to Islamophobia, subjecting Arab Americans to further discrimination regardless of their diverse religious beliefs.
However, Arab Americans face various forms of discrimination that extend beyond religious stereotypes, affecting various aspects of their lives. In particular, Muslim Americans, including Black and Arab Muslims, often report lower household incomes (PDF | 303 KB) despite having similar educational levels to those in other religious groups. This economic inequality may intersect with experiences of discrimination, particularly among Muslims who are younger, female, or Arab. Muslims reporting higher prejudice cases (PDF | 303 KB) based on their religion from other Muslims.
Historically, Arab Americans have been classified as white in the United States Census, leading to a loss of key data and harmful consequences for the community. For example, when the COVID-19 pandemic hitthis classification rendered many Arab Americans invisible, resulting in a lack of resources, communication, and funding, which disproportionately affected their health.
Progress
The Office of Management and Budget (OMB) has significantly promoted the recognition of Arab Americans in its Statistical Policy Directive #15 which requires collection of detailed data on race and ethnicity in every federal data collection effort. OMB added a new required category – Middle East/North Africa (MENA). This change became effective on March 28, 2024, and federal agencies must comply with this policy directive by March 28, 2029, for any of the data collection efforts (eg, beneficiary enrollment reports, Performance and government results, the National Survey on Drug Use and Health, etc.). This new model has the potential to enhance knowledge, research, funding, and opportunities for Arab American mental health.
In terms of treatment and services, the shift to telehealth services (PDF | 124 KB) it has also been particularly helpful in reducing face-to-face stigma and providing an option for those who may be uncomfortable with face-to-face services or have language barriers. With remote consultation, individuals can access support from the comfort of their own home, ensuring privacy and reducing potential cultural barriers. These services empower the Arab American community to seek help, enhancing participation and addressing the unique needs of the population.
Close/Call to action
As we continue to navigate the diverse landscape of mental health across cultures, health professionals and community members must strive for a deeper understanding of Arab American backgrounds and experiences. Minority Mental Health Month is a vital time to dispel misconceptions, celebrate rich diversity, and foster acceptance and understanding within the Arab-American community. Through meaningful conversations, education, and advocacy, we can shine a light on the often unheard mental health needs and stories of Arab Americans.
As we honor Minority Mental Health Month and bring Arab-American mental health into the spotlight, it is important to actively engage in conversation and dialogue to support local and national initiatives. This includes supporting local programs in your community and organizations that have an impact on a larger scale. We must advocate that mental health is a fundamental right for all, aligning with SAMHSA’s mission to lead public health efforts and provide services that promote mental health, prevent substance abuse, and provide treatments and supports to promote recovery; while ensuring fair access and better outcomes. A critical aspect of mental health is promoting a sense of belonging, curiosity and respect for difference and diversity. Arab Americans represent yet another population that weaves into the rich tapestry of America.
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