From Valley Medical Center Equity, Diversity & Inclusion Committee
Working tirelessly to shed light on the mental health needs of the Black community and other underrepresented communities, Bebe Moore Campbell, was an American author, journalist, teacher, and mental health advocate, who described the unique challenge for black, indigenous and people of color when she said, “While everyone—all colors—everyone is affected by stigma—no one wants to say ‘I’m not in control of my mind.’ No one wants to say, ‘The person I love is not in control of [their] mind.’ But people of color really don’t want to say it because we already feel stigmatized by virtue of skin color or eye shape or accent and we don’t want any more reasons for anyone to say, ‘You’re not good enough.’”
Historically oppressed and underrepresented racial and ethnic groups face distinct mental health struggles in the United States: Experiencing a broad spectrum of ongoing discrimination, oppression, and inequity can often lead to both group and individual trauma.
Bebe Moore Campbell National Minority Mental Health Awareness Month, also known as Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) Mental Health Awareness Month, was created to bring awareness to the unique mental health challenges that minority groups face in the United States.
During the month of July, we celebrate the strength and resilience of the BIPOC community. Where traditional systems of care may have left them unsupported, members of these communities have forged new ways to create networks of care that foster mental health.
Please visit the community-developed, systems of support resources below for additional information and BIPOC mental health support:
- American Indian and Alaska Native
We R Native | For Native Youth, by Native Youth
One Sky Center | National resource center for American Indian and Alaska Native Health, Education, and Research
- Black
Black Emotional and Mental Health (BEAM) | Training, movement-building, and grant-making activities
Boris L Henson Foundation | Eradicate stigma around mental health issues in the African American community
Trevor Project | Crisis intervention and suicide prevention services for LGBTQ+ individuals
- Asian/PI
Asian American Racism & Mental Health Resources | Education & prevention, research, and clinical consultation & referral
Asian & Pacific Islander American Health Forum | Oldest and largest health advocacy organization working with Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians, and Pacific Islanders
Destigmatizing Mental Health in Asian American and Pacific Islander Communities | SAMHSA overview of work by the Asian Pacific American Officers Committee of the U.S. Public Health Service and the organization Cambodian Family
- Latinx
National Hispanic and Latino MHTTC | A member of the national MHTTC network dedicated to Hispanic and Latino mental health
Latinx Therapy | Connecting individuals looking for a therapist; also, English and Spanish-language resources for children and adults
National Alliance for Hispanic Health | Premier, science-based and community-driven organization focused on the best health for all
