Impact of Race on Access to Mental Health Programs: Examining and Analyzing the Role of Race in SMHA Programs

This study explores how race influences access to State Mental Health Authority community-based programs across the US. Using data from the 2022 Mental Health-Level Client Data provided by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, we analyzed racial disparities in mental health service use. The dataset includes a total sample size of 6,116,828 participants with demographic information such as race, age, gender, education level, and mental health service use. We hypothesize that the type of mental health service utilized will differ by racial groups across the US. Our primary research question tests this hypothesis by investigating if the type of mental health service used differs between marginalized communities and white populations. An exploratory data analysis will be conducted using IBM SPSS statistical software. Race was recoded into two categories: a "majority" group representing a total of 3,976,917 white individuals observed and a "minority" group consolidating the racial groups American Indian/Alaska Native, Asian, Black or African American, Native Hawaiian/Other Pacific Islander, and biracial/multiracial individuals into one with a total of 2,139,911 observations. In addition to race, variables such as age, gender, and education level will be included in the analysis when assessing the relationships with mental health service utilization. Our data analysis intends to identify trends in mental health service access among different racial groups. Preliminary results indicate that marginalized racial groups may experience different levels of access to SMHA-funded community programs compared to white participants. This relationship will be statistically tested in the future. This study contributes to public health research focused on disparities that occur within the mental health field. By identifying how race and other demographic factors influence access to services, public health professionals can work toward more equitable health outcomes for all communities.