Celebrating BIPOC Mental Health Awareness Month

July is BIPOC Mental Health Awareness Month!

We know May to be the month of the year when mental health awareness is celebrated and promoted. However, mental health awareness is an occasion that should be acknowledged every day of the year! BIPOC is an acronym for Black, Indigenous, and People of Color. In July, BIPOC Mental Health is acknowledged, and it is a time to celebrate, educate, and advocate for the mental health of individuals within these communities. July has widely been recognized as Bebe Moore Campbell National Minority Mental Health Awareness Month, and I will provide insight into her contributions to the BIPOC community here as well.

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On June 7, 2008, Bebe Moore Campbell's efforts and contributions to ending the stigma on mental health and providing mental health support to minority communities led July to be designated as Bebe Moore Campbell National Minority Mental Health Awareness Month!

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Who is Bebe Moore Campbell?

‍Bebe Moore Campbell was a teacher, mental health advocate, and mother who "struggled to support her daughter who battled with mental illness and a system that prevented her daughter from getting help and support" (Mental Health America, 2024). In efforts to support minorities who lived in the predominately Black neighborhood she lived in, she founded NAMI-Inglewood.

Why is it important to know about BIPOC Mental Health?

People within BIPOC communities face unique challenges related to mental health compared to other communities. Disparities such as culture, stigma, lack of insurance, representation, and access to care are all factors that contribute to BIPOC not getting the treatment and care they need for their mental health.

What are the barriers that impact BIPOC Mental Health?

Culture: Due to past and present experiences of racism, discrimination, and trauma within healthcare systems, BIPOCs often do not trust health and mental health professionals. There are many cultural differences and expressions of mental health, which can lead to misdiagnosis or ineffective treatment if providers are not culturally competent.

Stigma: There is a stigma on mental health within the BIPOC community, which often leads individuals to avoid asking for help when they need it out of fear of being judged. People within the BIPOC have been told they have to be strong, could not show emotion, and were not allowed to express themselves freely in the past.

Lack of Insurance: Due to socioeconomic factors and higher rates of poverty in the BIPOC community, when it comes to accessing health care coverage, BIPOC individuals are more likely to not have insurance compared to white people.

Lack of Representation: There is a shortage of BIPOC in mental health care professions, which can lead to people in the BIPOC community feeling disconnected from providers and can lead to a lack of culturally competent care.

Access to Care: People within BIPOC communities may live in areas with limited access to mental health resources, making it harder for them to get the help they need.

Share information about BIPOC Mental Health Awareness Month:Tell that July is a nationally recognized month for BIPOC Mental Health Awareness.

1. Inquire about facts surrounding BIPOC mental health.
2. Look up local mental health resources for BIPOC in your area.
3. Advocate for better mental health resources for BIPOC.
4. Check on your family, friends, or coworkers with the BIPOC, and ask them how they are doing!

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References:

Bebe moore campbell national minority mental health awareness month. (n.d.). NAMI. Retrieved July 18, 2024, from https://www.nami.org/get-involved/awareness-events/bebe-moore-campbell-national-minority-mental-health-awareness-month/

Holman, A. (2023, June 30). BIPOC mental health: Barriers and ways to support. Lyra Health. https://www.lyrahealth.com/blog/bipoc-mental-health/

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