This July, Recovery Resources focuses on Minority Mental Health Month. Mental illness does not discriminate based on gender, identity or race. However, in black communities, studies show that people do not seek treatment due to the stigma as a mark of weakness on their character. Anyone can go through the challenges of mental health conditions no matter what their background is and it can be difficult to access mental health treatment depending on one’s identity and background. Formally recognized in 2008, National Minority Mental Health Month was created to bring awareness to the unique struggles that underrepresented groups face in regard to mental illness in the United States. It was brought forward by Bebe Moore Campbell, an American author, journalist, teacher, and mental health advocate. She worked tirelessly to shed a light on the mental health needs of the black community and other underrepresented communities.

According to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA):

• In 2017, 18.9% of adults (46.6 million people) had a mental illness. That rate was higher among people of two or more races at 28.6%, non-Hispanic whites at 20.4% and Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islanders at 19.4%. 

• Asian American adults were less likely to use mental health services than any other racial/ethnic group.

In light of today’s discrimination, we want our community to know that we are here to help. We firmly believe that people can recover and triumph over their mental illness and/or addiction. Learn about our mental health treatment services here.

“The more we have people from our actual communities speaking out and looking at, how can we do some campaigns that really address the stigma that’s prevalent in the African American community around mental health and how to we can access services.”