In May of 2008, the US House of Representatives named July the National Minority Mental Health Awareness Month. The resolution that passed intended to not only increase access to services and spread awareness about mental health, but to also hone in on the spreading awareness about minorities with mental illnesses.

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July is National Minority Mental Health Month

As mental illnesses revolve around the brain, it may seem strange at first glance to consider that diversity elements like ethnicity, race or culture could impact one’s experience with mental illness. Upon further examination, it becomes clear that these very factors lead to minority groups receiving lower quality treatment and seeking out mental health services less frequently. The US Surgeon General even presented findings stating while mental health was a very real issue for the population at large, that distinct disparities existed for minority groups. These disparities included that minority groups would be less likely to seek out treatment and that there was a lack of research focused on minority groups and mental illness.

Recognizing that there are challenges to overcome around minorities with mental illnesses will help policymakers, advocates and mental health professionals gain a richer understanding of the needs of the various communities impacted by mental illness. According to the National Alliance on Mental Illness, 1 in 5 adults experiences mental illness in any given year – it’s an issue that impacts everybody. Multicultural mental health awareness helps break stigmas and improve conditions in the diverse communities that make up our world.

To continue your involvement during National Minority Mental Health Awareness Month, check out the great resources and campaigns that NAMI has put together, take their pledge to be stigma free, or even use the hashtag #MinorityMentalHealth to spread valuable information.

Written By Evan DeVries, Social Media Assistant – TPI

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