“Once my loved ones accepted the diagnosis, healing began for the entire family, but it took too long. It took years. Can’t we, as a nation, begin to speed up that process? We need a national campaign to destigmatize mental illness, especially one targeted toward African Americans…It’s not shameful to have a mental illness. Get treatment. Recovery is possible.”

–Bebe Moore Campbell, 2005

Every July, we mark Bebe Moore Campbell Minority Mental Health Month.

1 in 5 U.S. adults experience a mental health condition each year. That includes individuals from every culture, community or background. Minority communities face an added level of stigma and discrimination when seeking mental health care.

Facts:

  • Mental illness affects 15% of Asian adults; 16% of Black adults; 17% of Latinx adults; 37% of LGB adults
  • Trans individuals are 12X more likely to attempt suicide than the general population.
  • • Minorities have less access to mental health services than Caucasians, are less likely to receive needed care and are more likely to receive inferior quality of care when they are treated.
  • Only 25% of Asian adults with mental illness receive help.
  • Even though people of color are more likely to be involved in the criminal justice system, they are less likely to be identified as having a mental health condition and less likely to receive access to treatment once incarcerated.

More:

NAMI California has 5 ways you can take part.

NAMI National has video from community members sharing their experiences.

Bebe Moore Campbell Minority Mental Health Month 2020