Minority Mental Health Awareness Month
July is Minority Mental Health Awareness Month. This month brings awareness to the unique struggles that our BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, and People of Color) community faces around mental illness in this country.
Members of the BIPOC communities and other minority groups often face disproportionate inequities in care, support, or mental health services in this country. Systemic racism, historical barriers, and inequities have left particular ethnic, racial and minoritized populations facing trauma, loss, bias, social disparities, and other unique challenges that have gone unsupported and largely unaddressed.
We also know that use of mental health services is very low in relation to the level of need in the community and it is also inequitably distributed. COVID-19 has further exacerbated these trends in availability and accessibility for our communities of color, which were hardest hit.
This is an important issue for S:US and close to many of our hearts. Mental health is a critical piece of overall health and affects every aspect of our lives.
Culture, community, and connection are pillars that support and uplift BIPOC individuals in the face of oppression and systemic racism. We can overcome mental health challenges by supporting, listening to, and uplifting each other. We can bring our voices together to advocate for mental health and access to care. Together, we can realize our shared vision of a nation where anyone affected by mental illness can get the appropriate support and quality of care to live healthy, fulfilling lives.
If you are facing a crisis, dial 988 to reach the National Suicide and Crisis Lifeline. If someone you know is going through a tough time, reach out and tell them you are there for them. We are all in this together.
Mental Health Resources:
- Download the 2023 BIPOC Mental Health Toolkit which includes tons of free, practical resources to support you in taking action for BIPOC mental health.
- Join The Garrison Institute’s BIPOC Meditation Sangha, a free weekly gathering for people of color on Thursdays, 12-1pm EDT.
- Call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline by dialing 988 for free 24/7 confidential support.
- Call 1-888-NYC-WELL, text “WELL” to 65173, or click HERE to chat with a professional. This 24/7 service is free of charge and completely confidential.
- Call the NAMI-NYC Helpline at 212-375-3101 or email [email protected]. Services are offered in English and Spanish, Monday-Friday 10am to 6pm.
- Read How People of Color Can Experience Grief Differently Than White People (Huffington Post) for a BIPOC perspective, plus resources for coping.