Juan Del Toro and Bonnie Klimes-Dougan Give Insights on Addressing Mental Health Disparities
In a recent article by the Minnesota Daily, Juan Del Toro and Bonnie Klimes-Dougan discussed the rates and effects of mental and physical health factors and suicide on marginalized communities, as well as potential solutions.
Del Toro, whose personal experiences as a person of color inform his work, is interested in the paradox between mental and physical health. Despite observing that people of color experience fewer cases of depression and report higher levels of happiness compared to White people, he notes that they often face worse physical health outcomes, such as higher rates of diabetes and cortisol levels. Del Toro attributes these disparities to environmental factors, pointing out that Black American neighborhoods tend to have more fast food restaurants and liquor stores compared to White neighborhoods. He emphasizes the importance of schools needing to develop and implement cost-effective interventions, as well as creating space for conversations about race and racism in the classroom, as crucial for students’ identity development and well-being.
Klimes-Dougan's research focuses on adolescents with depression. In her work, she investigates policies and interventions that can effectively support marginalized communities at elevated risk for suicide, such as Native American and LGBTQ+ communities, who experience the highest rates of suicide. Rather than relying solely on government policies, Klimes-Dougan suggests that leveraging cultural traditions and identity can be beneficial. She believes that connecting with one's cultural heritage can serve as a source of strength, offering an alternative approach to addressing mental health challenges.
Both Del Toro and Klimes-Dougan advocate for interventions that acknowledge the unique experiences and needs of marginalized communities. They stress the importance of promoting conversations about race and racism, as well as incorporating cultural elements into mental health initiatives to better support those at risk for suicide.
Juan Del Toro, PhD, assistant professor in the Department of Psychology at the University of Minnesota.
Bonnie Klimes-Dougan, PhD, LP, Teaching Professor in the Department of Psychology at the University of Minnesota and director of the Research in Adolescent Depression (RAD) lab.
Composed by Madison Stromberg, communications assistant.
