July Is Bebe Moore Campbell National Minority Mental Health Awareness Month
Also known as BIPOC Mental Health Month
Formally recognized in June 2008 (and currently designated as), Bebe Moore Campbell National Minority Mental Health Awareness Month was created to bring awareness to the unique struggles that underrepresented groups face in regard to mental illness in the US. Bebe Moore Campbell was an American author, journalist, teacher, and mental health advocate who worked tirelessly to shed light on the mental health needs of the Black community and other underrepresented communities.
This year’s theme is Strength in Communities, where we will be highlighting alternative mental health supports created by BIPOC and queer and trans BIPOC (QTBIPOC), for BIPOC and QTBIPOC.
It will explore three topic areas: community care, self-directed care, and cultural care and why these types of care are valid and valuable choices people can make for their mental health.
Community care refers to ways in which communities of color have provided support to each other. This can include things such as mutual aid, peer support, and healing circles.
Self-directed care is an innovative practice that emphasizes that people with mental health and substance use conditions, or their representatives if applicable, have decision-making authority over services they receive.
Cultural care refers to practices that are embedded in cultures that are passed down through generations that naturally provide resiliency and healing.
Your story really does matter!
Share your story via social media or with a group like a blog, alumni newsletter, student news, etc. You can also reach out to someone individually. Perhaps connect with someone you have wanted to have a conversation with but just haven't gotten the chance.
Daisy Zamora shares her story "Un Dia a La Vez"
Sample Letter For Starting A Conversation About Mental Health Struggles
Originally designed for MHA's 2016 Back to School Toolkit, this fill-in-the-blanks style letter is good for people of all ages who want to start a conversation about struggles with their mental health, but aren't sure how to get started.