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.
To continue the visionary work of Bebe Moore Campbell, each year Mental Health America (MHA) develops a public education campaign dedicated to addressing the mental health needs of Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC).
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.
Our 2021 toolkit will examine community-developed systems of support created to fill in gaps within traditional systems that may overlook cultural and historical factors that impede BIPOC and QTBIPOC mental health. 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.
Download The 2021 BIPOC Mental Health Month Toolkit Here
Some resources
Bebe Moore Campbell National Minority Mental Health Awareness Month
BIPOC Mental Health Month | Mental Health America (mhanational.org)
BIPOC Mental Health Video | ACA Minority Mental Health Month
Kink and Poly Aware Professionals: The Kink And Poly Aware Professionals Directory (KAP) is a service offered by NCSF dedicated to providing the community with a listing of psychotherapeutic, medical, legal and other professionals who have stated that they are knowledgeable about and sensitive to diverse expressions of sexuality.
BIPOC Mental Health Awareness | Greg Bailey | La Familia
As we continue with #BIPOCMentalHealthAwareness Month, FESCO Parent Education Consultant, Greg Bailey, shares with us some insight on the importance of breaking the stigma of seeking or asking for help in communities of color. Thank you Greg. #BreakTheStigma#LiveLaFamilia#MentalHealthAwareness#BIPOC#LivingOurValues#SelfCare