The recent killing of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson, allegedly by Luigi Mangione, and the trial of Daniel Penny, found not guilty in the choke-hold death of Jordan Neely, have once again placed mental health or rather the failure of the mental health care system in the spotlight. The demand for behavioral health care services is more prominent than ever, with approximately six out of 10 Americans needing services either for themselves or someone they love. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention more than 50% of Americans will be diagnosed with a mental illness sometime in their life. And half of those adults diagnosed with mental health conditions receive no treatment.

There’s enough blame to go around. Marginalized communities can often experience disparities when it comes to accessing quality mental health care. Other obstacles can include geographical limitations, stigma and the cost of treatment. These are the obvious ones, but there are others. As everywhere else, racism can play a role. Often people of color are dismissed or subject to gaslighting. Stereotypes about certain groups result in misdiagnosis and mistrust, leading people to avoid getting help.