Here are some rad resources we’ve gathered about BIPOC Mental Health Month. Feel free to explore and share with a friend!

CHOW One Day Amuse’

Insight to Diversity

This July marks the 14th annual observance of BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, and people of color) Mental Health Month, previously known as National Minority Mental Health Awareness Month. The observance comes at a critical time on college campuses, as concerns regarding psychological and emotional well-being are at an all-time high for young people and students, especially those from underrepresented communities. 

Ample research has shown that the educational, economic, and social turmoil caused by the COVID-19 pandemic has increased anxiety and depression among college students. For young people of color, these effects have been compounded by racial violence and discrimination. Yet this population is significantly less likely to obtain psychological support services due to the high costs of mental health care, the social stigma associated with seeking treatment, a lack of access to culturally competent counselors, and a general mistrust of medical professionals, according to the organization Mental Health America. 

Read more at: https://www.insightintodiversity.com/bipoc-mental-health-month/

A Word from MHA

July is formally recognized as Bebe Moore Campbell National Minority Mental Health Awareness Month on June 2, 2008, by a bipartisan and bicameral Congress. As we seek to provide education and tools for the overall betterment of BIPOC mental health, we must not ignore how and where this started: in the hands of a woman wanting a better experience for her child living with mental illness. July would not be dedicated to the mental health and well-being of individuals and communities of color if it were not for the tireless work of Bebe, her loved ones, and other mental health advocates who took on this work after she passed away in 2006.

Bebe Moore Campbell was a pioneer and an author, who used storytelling to give insight into the people that deserved more of a voice – Black women, caregivers of those with mental health conditions, Black individuals living with mental health conditions, and all people of color. Over the course of her life, Bebe took on several roles, including mother, activist, writer, daughter, commentator, friend, and teacher. Bebe’s legacy continues to

inspire a national movement for mental health equity. The movement continues today as we focus on the creation of a health justice ecosystem grounded in effective care, universal compassion, cultural humility, and the use of appropriate mental health interventions instead of harmful criminal legal interventions.

Read more about Bebe Moore Campbell at mhanational.org/bebemoorecampbell.

BIPOC Mental Health Month

We know that numbers are important. They give us a snapshot of the bigger picture. Statistics and data give us the ability to understand key connections that help us to make informed decisions. But, numbers don’t tell the whole story, instead only giving us a broad view that misses the deeper and individual context. For BIPOC communities, we also know that numbers focus much too often on disparities rather than strengths and resilience. Just as every person is unique, so is every culture. This year’s theme for Black, Indigenous, and people of color (BIPOC), Mental Health Month is #BeyondTheNumbers. Join us, and together we will gain knowledge of historical context, systems of support, and actionable ways to move forward toward a mentally healthy future.

MHA recognizes that BIPOC individuals have rich histories. While there are stories of resilience born out of oppression, persecution, and abuse, there is immeasurable strength in each of these cultures. In an increasingly diversified America, we acknowledge the specificity of individual and group experiences and how it relates to their beliefs and well-being. BIPOC communities are significantly more likely to develop mental health conditions, and major barriers to mental health treatment are access and the need for understanding mental health supports.

#BeyondTheNumbers explores the nuances and uniqueness in BIPOC communities. Throughout the month of July, we will share on social media stories of individuals living with mental health conditions – people who want us to know more about who they are #BeyondTheNumbers. We invite you to share your story as well using the hashtags #BeyondTheNumbers and #BIPOCMentalHealthMonth.

When we look #BeyondTheNumbers, we find that mental health conditions do not discriminate. This #BIPOCMentalHealthMonth, check in on your mental well-being by taking an online screening:

Peep the screening at: https://screening.mhanational.org/screening-tools/

Celebrating Human Connection

Join us to celebrate the success and resiliency of our healthy workplace network! This event is an opportunity to expand your workplace well-being knowledge, celebrate the successes of our community, and share best practices with other like-minded organizations while having a little fun.
 

Registration is OPEN!

August 25, 2022 | 12:30–4:00pm MT

Visit https://web.cvent.com/event/1e2a7ac7-1b01-499b-b744-8de8b7c38389/summary

Have a great week!