"Once my loved one accepted the diagnosis, healing began for the entire family, but it took too long. It took years. Can't we, as a nation, begin to speed up that process? We need a national campaign to destigmatize mental illness, especially one targeted toward African Americans. The message must go on billboards and in radio and TV public service announcements. It must be preached from pulpits and discussed in community forums. It's not shameful to have a mental illness. Get treatment. Recovery is possible." -Bebe Moore Campbell

Why designate National Minority Mental Health Awareness Month?

National Minority Mental Health Awareness Month, also known as Bebe Moore Campbell National Minority Mental Health Awareness Month, was developed to honor the efforts of Bebe Moore Campbell (1950 – 2006), an American author, journalist, teacher, and mental health advocate. Campbell was driven to bring awareness to the unique mental health struggles of racial and ethnic minority communities through her personal experiences with a family member’s mental health challenges. She was one of the founding members of the National Alliance on Mental Illness Urban Los Angeles.

In May 2008, the U.S. House of Representatives announced July as Bebe Moore Campbell National Minority Mental Health Awareness Month and recognized that:

• Improved access to mental health treatment and services and public awareness of mental illness are of paramount importance.
• There is an important need for improved access to care, treatment, and services for those diagnosed with severe and persistent mental health disorders and improved public awareness of mental illness.
• An appropriate month should be recognized as Bebe Moore Campbell National Minority Mental Health Awareness Month to enhance public awareness of mental illness and mental illness among minorities. 1

According to the Office of Minority Health, racial and ethnic minority communities face challenges due to multiple factors including:

1. poor mental health outcomes;

2. lack of access to quality mental health care services;

3. cultural stigma surrounding mental health care

4. discrimination;

5. overall lack of awareness about mental health.

In the last four years, New England MHTTC has worked to create opportunities that improve accessibility to mental health services and programs, increase cultural understanding, and fight stigma. Check out these products:

• Changing the Conversation: Engaging Native Youth

Cedric Woods shares strategies for reaching and engaging Native youth with host Ashley Stewart in this episode of the “Changing the Conversation” podcast.

• Mental Health Matters Infographic: Asian American and Pacific Islander Well-being

Asian American and Pacific Islander populations (AAPI) are an integral part of the American diaspora and represent a wide range of diversity. Learn key facts about the mental health experiences within Asian American and Pacific Islander communities. Consider ways you can promote recovery and resilience through culturally relevant practices that meet the needs of diverse populations.

• Understanding Organizational Implicit Bias and its Impact on BIPOC Populations

While much attention has been paid to individual implicit bias, research is beginning to show ways in which organizations can also possess hidden forms of bias at the policy, procedural, and administrative levels. These implicit organizational biases may strongly impact client-provider interactions, care decisions, and engagement, as well as health outcomes. Watch this video to learn more about the impact of implicit organizational bias and collectively explore ways to mitigate its effects on training and education, community building, recruitment and hiring, and beyond.

• New England Hispanic Heritage Month Diversity and Inclusion Project Showcase (DIPS)

In recognition of Hispanic Heritage Month, the New England MHTTC amplified the work of community-based organizations (CBOs) and nonprofits in New England supporting mental health and advancing substance use prevention, treatment, and recovery in Hispanic/Latino communities. Watch this video of a "Round-Robin-style" of presentation where CBOs and nonprofits throughout the New England region showcased their goals, growth, outcomes, and visions for the future in their efforts to support the behavioral health needs of underserved populations.

• EPLC | Improving Clinical Competencies in Providing Whole-Person Care for Muslim People with Serious Mental Illness

This workshop with Dr. Rania Awaad M.D., Clinical Associate Professor of Psychiatry at the Stanford University School of Medicine, aimed to provide clinicians the knowledge and framework to better address the needs of their Muslim patients. To facilitate this goal, this workshop included research-informed, key concepts in improving clinical report with Muslim patients. The goal was for participants to leave this training with improved competency, comfort, and skill in meaningfully providing whole-person care for their Muslim patients with serious mental illness.

• Vamos Conversar Sobre Trauma, Abuso E Violência / Let's Talk about Trauma, Abuse, and Violence

This resource seeks to guide Brazilian families residing in Massachusetts on the importance of recognizing what trauma is, learning about the different forms of violence, understanding how recovery strategies help to promote resilience, discussing stigma, and providing information about the network of services available to the Brazilian community. The guide is a result of a series of technical assistance requests to develop webinars, community conversations, and presentations at conferences about mental health, trauma, and recovery. It represents 4 years of collaboration between New England MHTTC and Federation for Children with Special Needs.  

• Supporting Diverse Educators

By actively promoting and supporting diverse educators, we can create inclusive learning environments where all students, regardless of their background, feel seen, understood, and represented. School communities are enriched and strengthened when all educators can bring their unique perspectives, experiences, and cultural competencies to the classroom.

You can view these products and many more in our Products & Resources Catalog on our website.

Other Resources:

• Better Mental Health Through Better Understanding for Racial and Ethnic Minority Communities 2023 Reading List from the Office of Minority Health at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services