6 Relatable Minority Creators Breaking Down Mental Health Barriers On TikTok
Despite numerous calls to action and increased awareness, the stigma around therapy and mental health in minority communities remains high. Countless minorities are left to cope with undiagnosed or untreated mental health concerns.
It is estimated that just 25% of African Americans and only $34% of Hispanic/Latinx adults seek mental health services compared to 45% of all Americans⁵ ⁶.
The reasons for this are complex, yet not surprising—minority mental health disparities are a reflection of known societal issues. One of the issues that plague minority communities is poverty.
Those who are Black, Indigenous, and people of color (BIPOC) are more likely to experience poverty, due to seemingly endless factors, such as: unfair hiring practices that state that you can’t come to work while wearing an afro, redlining (a practice which legally allows financial institutions to deny those from specific neighborhoods), and the wage gap that, for example, sees Hispanic women earning 57 cents on the dollar compared to white men.¹
It should then come as no surprise to learn that 11.5-11.8% of Black adults do not have health insurance—the highest rates in the country.² ³ Hispanic Americans follow closely behind with an estimated rate of 11.4%.³ You may be wondering why this matters. What does economic status have to do with mental health? For starters, the American medical field—including mental health services—work under capitalism. This means that profit is the primary goal. This is not to say there are not hundreds or thousands of professionals and organizations with pure intentions. Unfortunately, however, even those with genuine intentions are forced to operate under this system.
In the United States of America, the average cost of therapy is approximately $100-$200 per session.⁴ This figure can increase or decrease depending on the clinical provider and health insurance coverage. Yet, as we mentioned, there is a high chance that minorities do not have the benefits of health insurance and co-pays. The next option would be seeking out organizations that provide mental health services on sliding scales, but the great demand for these organizations means that clients often have to wait in line for months before receiving services.
While there are many factors that impact BIPOC mental health, financial limitations are one very strong reason.
That is where TikTok comes in to help! TikTok is now arguably the most popular social media platform with over 1 billion users. In its midst, the #mentalhealth hashtag alone has over 30 billion uploads. TikTok is significantly more accessible than mental health services. Its services are free, straight to the point, with content that can be easily revisited. You can save a video or link to reference for as long as it's live on the platform.
While it should be made clear that TikTok and other social media platforms are in no way substitutions for therapy, minority mental health advocates and licensed therapists have transformed into part-time content creators so that no one is denied resources anymore.
We searched for the best mental health TikTok accounts. (And by best, we mean TikTok accounts that may help you individually.) It is important to remember that mental health services are never one-size-fits-all. When searching for an account that may help you , try to focus less on the size of the account and more on its content.
Here are some relatable, minority mental health advocates for follow on TikTok!
@dr.kojosarfo
@dr.kojosarfo Women are often diagnosed later in life, so more awareness is needed! 📝#adhdawareness #adhd #adhdtiktok #adhdinwomen ♬ Looted - ypc.38
Although numbers aren’t the most important thing, there is a good reason that Kojo Sarfo, a psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner, has become one of the most popular TikTok therapists. His content is varied, covering topics ranging from eating disorder awareness to what ADHD looks like in women. Men may also appreciate his devotion to normalizing men’s mental health concerns. He has mastered the art of transforming heavy topics into lighthearted skits or dances to TikTok trends that a wide audience can understand or relate to.
@therapylux
Tijuana-born Jacqueline Garcia, LCSW, has amassed a large following while spreading awareness for Hispanic mental health concerns. In her role as a bilingual licensed clinical social worker, she specializes in depression, anxiety, behavioral issues, general stressors, mood dysregulation, depression, and relationship issues. Her widely popular relationship sabotage videos demonstrate how our minds can easily tricks us into thinking the worst about romantic partners. Her videos shine light on what’s hidden in us in the hopes that we can recognize this behavior and break cycles.
@ijorgealvarez
@ijorgealvarez #stitch with @dreaatheb #greenscreensticker felt like I had to explain a bit!! #collectivism #collectivist #collectiveculture #latino #latinotiktok ♬ original sound - Jorge ☻
You don’t need licensure to be a qualified mental health advocate and Jorge Alvarez proves that effortlessly. His audience, strong in numbers and engagement, amassed naturally through his charismatic nature and openness. Jorge intends to help break cycles and does so by regularly sharing his first-hand experiences as a child of immigrants and how it has impacted his mental health journey. His relatable videos are vulnerable, while helping others understand themselves and their own journeys.
@theshaniproject
Having a niche is important on TikTok, and Shani Tran, Ph.D, has established herself as a qualified mental health professional whose content caters towards people of color. The topics she covers are varied, ranging from anxiety in Black men, ADHD in Black women, and the importance of cultural competency for all races—including how to properly takes notes in POC client sessions. Her one-of-a-kind take on skits and other TikToks allows her to resonate with viewers of all demographics, especially her viral sex education videos that normalize and teach tricks for self-loving.
@drnortontherapy
@drnortontherapy Craziest stories I have ever heard in therapy. #therapy #tik_tok #counselor #psychology ♬ original sound - Cutiethiccckums
Dr. Norton, Ph.D and CEO of Norton Therapeutic Solutions, holds a host of licensure, including national counselor certification, solidifying him as a qualified mental health professional. His topics are as varied as they come. Whatever mental health concern you can think of, there is a chance he as a short video to a popular TikTok sound discussing it. Type in his username and videos bringing awareness to signs of alcoholism, gaslighting, how trauma manifests, and even mindfulness appear instantly. Dr. Norton additionally does his part of dispelling rumors that therapists will disclose your information, truly ensuring a safe space for all.
@soyginamore
Gina M may not be a licensed professional, but that does not mean her mental health awareness content is any less impactful. As a Latina in tech and first-generation American, Gina devotes ample content to healing, as well as motivation to break into tough careers as a minority. Her content documents some of her first-hand experiences and even advice given to her by licensed professionals. By spreading knowledge in a relatable fashion, Gina M helps open the gate for minorities to begin their own healing journey.
Minority mental health advocates on TikTok break the stigma day-by-day. These TikTokers take on the important role of making mental health not so scary. Now when young adults picture therapy, they may likely envision connecting with a relatable, fun, and qualified professional, instead of picturing a distant, legs-crossed professional in a cold room.
TikTok can help you feel seen and give great advice along your mental health journey, however, NO social media should ever be used as a substitution to therapy. You’ll actually find that the majority of TikTok therapists explicitly say TikTok does not equal therapy in their bios. Instead, TikTok is better as a bonus resource, a tool to learn extra information not your sole source of mental health services.
Resources:
American Progress, https://www.americanprogress.org/article/women-of-color-and-the-wage-gap/
Nami.org https://www.nami.org/Your-Journey/Identity-and-Cultural-Dimensions/Black-African-American
Statista.com https://www.statista.com/statistics/200970/percentage-of-americans-without-health-insurance-by-race-ethnicity/
Psychology Today, https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/basics/therapy/cost-and-insurance-coverage
Discovery Mood, https://discoverymood.com/blog/black-history-month-african-american-mental-health/
Nami.org, https://www.nami.org/Your-Journey/Identity-and-Cultural-Dimensions/Hispanic-Latinx#:~:text=Approximately%2034%25%20of%20Hispanic%2FLatinx,many%20unique%20barriers%20to%20care