Mental health conditions do not discriminate based on race, color, gender or identity. Anyone can experience the challenges of mental illness regardless of their background. However, background and identity can make access to mental health treatment much more difficult. National Minority Mental Health Awareness Month was established in 2008 to start changing this.
Each year millions of Americans face the reality of living with a mental health condition.
Taking on the challenges of mental health conditions, health coverage and the stigma of mental illness requires all of us. In many communities, these problems are increased by less access to care, cultural stigma and lower quality care.
NAMI.Org Personal Stories
Throughout the month of July, we will feature personal stories about how culture impacts mental health. Personal stories are brief, informal snapshots of lived experience, making them unique from pieces published on the NAMI Blog. By sharing stories of lived experience, we aim to highlight the importance of minority mental health and to make people feel less alone in their mental health journeys. You can submit your story at nami.org/yourstory.
BEAM COMMUNITY
https://www.beam.community/ – We are a collective of advocates, yoga teachers, artists, therapists, lawyers, religious leaders, teachers, psychologists and activists committed to the emotional/mental health and healing of Black communities.
Social Media
Include some of our social media graphics in your posts throughout the month of July.
Hashtags to Use: #NotAlone, #MinorityMentalHealth, #MMHAM
Strength Over Silence Video Series: Stories Of Courage, Culture And Community
In this ongoing docuseries, NAMI highlights perspectives on mental health across backgrounds and communities. Through candid and courageous stories of lived experience, these mental health champions share their resilience and recovery, emphasizing the importance of culture and identity in the mental health movement.
Move Your Way Campaign
Move Your Way is a campaign developed by the Office of Disease Prevention and Health Promotion. The goal is to help people live healthier lives through increased physical activity. Use these tools to plan your activity and to encourage others to be active and healthy.