July is Minority Mental Health Month. The National Alliance on Mental Health (NAMI) wants to bring awareness to the increased barriers that
arise when trying to address mental health in minority communities. Some of
these are access and within the African American community, I know that there is
a cultural stigma.
History:
In May of 2008, July was announced at Bebe Moore
Campbell National Minority Mental Health Awareness Month. The goals set for the
campaign were to improve access to treatment and enhance public awareness of
mental illness.
Bebe Moore Campbell was an author and co-founder of NAMI in
Urban Los Angeles. She was also a national spokesperson who eventually fell ill
and lost her battle to cancer.
- Approximately 1 in 5 adults in the US experience mental illness in a given year
- 16 million adults in the US had at least one major depressive episode in the past year
As an
African American, this is especially a difficult time for minorities who are
being inundated with violent images of their own people being killed along with
the frustrating cycle of police brutality and retaliation from that. It is
heartbreaking to watch and depressing to know that you are in danger because of
something you have no control over. We all know at least five people, so that gives you an idea of how many may be struggling with mental illness in silence. If you know anyone who may be suffering
with a mental illness be open to listening to them (judgment free) and supporting
them by assisting them with getting help. Also, make your own mental health a priority because the rest of your well being will flow from it.
-XOXO
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