Mental Health Equality People with severe socio-emotional and emotional disorders are challenged in many aspects of life. Historically, people of color with serious mental health issues had little assistance and ability to meet their needs in the same way as white people. To appropriately or adequately address the emotional and mental well-being of all on an equal basis, the association of stigma must be removed from people of color. Mental Health Perspective To function well mentally one is considered to have a healthy mental outlook. People of color are no different than their white counterparts when it comes to thought processing abilities. The ability to have a positive outlook on life lies deep within all humanity. The thought of a mental defect or illness among people of color is often met with stigma and hesitation. Youth and families found trapped in the justice systems, diagnosed with some form of emotional disorder, and/or having experienced trauma of some kind will have an emotional need to meet. Mental health issues could be found at the root of many existing social problems. Systems in the mental health genre have failed to provide adequate care for people of color. This was so profound that laws and mandates about how people were treated were created and changed for safety reasons. Families are frustrated and wary due to previous abuse. In 1984, Congress began appropriating funds to aid the Children's Mental Health Initiative. The current initiative underway is led by the Substance Abuse and Mental Services Administration's Center for Mental Health Services (CMHS). The need for reform and intervention...... middle of document ......n Men, stigma and treatment of sexually transmitted diseases in the Deep South[Electronic version], Gender and Society Vol. 18, No. 3 (June 2004), pp. 369-388Published by: Sage Publications, Inc. Retrieved July 14, 2011, from Article Stable URL: http://www.jstor.org/stable/4149407Rosenfield, S., Labeling Mental Illness: The Effects of Services Received and Stigma perceived life satisfaction [Electronic version], American Sociological Review vol. 62, No. 4 (August 1997), pp. 660-672Published by: American Sociological Association Retrieved July 14, 2011 URL: http://www.jstor.org/stable/2657432Phillips D.. Denial: A Possible Consequence of Seeking Help for Mental Disorders [Electronic version] American Sociological Review vol. 28, No. 6 (December 1963), pp. 963-972Published by: American Sociological Association Retrieved July 14, 2011 URL: http://www.jstor.org/stable/2090315