Jason Futch
news@greenepublishing.com
National Minority Mental Health Awareness Month is a time to acknowledge the unique challenges mental health plays on racial and ethnic minorities in the United States. According to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, in 2020, fewer than one in every two African American adults received care for mental health. In 2018, Asian-Americans were 60 percent less likely to receive mental health treatment than non-Hispanic whites. Obstacles for many include a lack of health insurance, less access to treatment and stigma.
Mental health encompasses emotional, cognitive and social well-being and can influence how a person thinks and feels. Everyday issues, even minor ones, can be a trigger for someone who may be experiencing a mental health episode.
National Minority Mental Health Awareness Month, also referred to as Bebe Moore Campbell National Minority Mental Health Awareness Month, was established in 2008 by the U.S. House of Representatives to honor Bebe Moore Campbell, a mental health advocate and author. Inspired by her deep concern for mental health, Campbell penned her first children’s book, “Sometimes My Mommy Gets Angry,” which debuted in September 2003. The story follows a young girl learning to navigate life with a mother who lives with mental illness. The book resonated widely, earning the 2003 Outstanding Literature Award from the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI).
Campbell’s literary work emphasized the importance of highlighting mental health complications in minorities and raising awareness to a group which has been historically marginalized. She also founded the Inglewood, Calif., chapter of NAMI. In 2006, she passed away from complications from brain cancer.
One of the themes touched on during National Minority Mental Health Awareness Month is suicide. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, suicide ranked as the third leading cause of death in 2020 for Black or African American youth between the ages of 15 and 24. In 2018, Hispanic men died by suicide at a rate four times higher than Hispanic women. Among high school students in 2019, Black girls in grades 9 through 12 were 60 percent more likely to attempt suicide than their white peers, while suicide attempts among Hispanic girls were 30 percent higher than those reported by their white peers.
As rates of mental health challenges remain high, it is essential for individuals who are more susceptible to episodes of anxiety, depression or other mental health conditions to prioritize self-care as a daily practice. This might include establishing a regular sleep routine, maintaining a nutritious diet, engaging in physical activity, practicing mindfulness or meditation, connecting with supportive friends or family members and seeking professional help when needed. In challenging times, these practices can be essential tools for safeguarding mental well-being.
During National Minority Mental Health Awareness Month, be mindful of those who may be going through challenging times. The struggles individuals face may not be evident to others. Choose kindness.