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While still considering the effects of intersectionality on woman’s mental health in the medical field, these facts become significant: “A large proportion of individuals suffering from mental illness do not seek professional help. This is especially true of ethnic minority populations, who are underrepresented in mental health care settings.” (Alvidrez) Jennifer Alvidrez from the Community Mental Health Journal goes on to say, “Epidemiological studies show that ethnic minority and low socioeconomic status (SES) individuals perceive more instrumental barriers to using services, such as lack of insurance, time, and transportation, than European American and higher SES individuals. Removing economic barriers improves service utilization in ethnic minority groups.” (Alvidrez) This alone would be a crucial step in creating a relaxed mindset within different minority groups of women especially that the ability to receive appropriate mental health is feasible. However, there is also a widespread stigma within minority groups as the nature of mental illness and treatement. As Alvidrez explains,

“People who believe that mental illness is highly stigmatizing are not likely to voluntarily seek professional help for psychiatric problems. There is some evidence that psychiatric disorders may have greater stigma attached to them in ethnic minority populations. In a college student sample, Silva de Crane and Spielberger (1981) found that compared to Whites, Blacks and Latinos held more negative views of mental illness, for example, that mentally ill individuals were morally inferior or should be isolated from others. Social class also appears to be important. Low-income and less educated individuals are more likely to express concern about the reactions of friends and family if they got help for psychiatric problems than are middle class and more educated individuals.” (Alvidrez)

An unfortunate truth is that mistreatment of women is occurring locally in Newport News as well in documented acts of negligence. In a Wavy10 news article published as recently as this past May, entitled: “Women demand change in mental health system,” an African American Pregnant woman was found on a bench outside of WaWa and pictures taken of her were posted to Facebook. A group of woman who saw the picture banded together to find the mom to be, and attempt to care for her themselves. 

They claim everything was going smoothly until  public health officials were notified and removed the pregnant woman from their care without further explanation. The baby died after birth and the unidentified black woman was released from hospital care without notifying the group of women who originally found her. The article states, “Their tears for the baby are now fueling their rage against the system. These women are now demanding answers. Who released the mom-to-be from the hospital and why did no one call them? “Does it take a dead baby to open the eyes of the system?” Amanda [one of the women from the group] asked.” (Harris) 

This example could also apply to the intersectionality issues that can influence the treatment of women’s mental and overall health in the medical industry as this pregnant woman was African American and was apparently left in squalor on the streets despite medical aid supposedly being offered to her. The subsequent non-communicative  treatment and release of the woman is morally wrong in regards to the women who attempted to treat her, but adheres to the system which would have needed them to be designated guardians or relatives in order for them to be responsible for the pregnant woman. This, however, may have been what costed her her baby’s life, or the quality of her life post hospital care.