Written by Nishagie Hettiarachchi
Edited by Jocelyn Nguyen
That's right, July is Minority Mental Health Month. Although the national month was formally established in 2008, minority mental health continues to be a matter of incredible significance. To this day, millions of BIPOC suffer from mental illnesses that are not properly addressed or identified within their communities.
Graphic made by Celine Nguyen, from Arts for Relief
What does the term BIPOC mean?
BIPOC stands for, “Black, Indigenous, and People of Color.”
It is considered a noun, and formally speaking, one would address those under this term as “BIPOC” rather than “BIPOC people,” which is redundant. BIPOC differs from POC, which stands solely for “People of Color.” Whereas POC is a more generalized term, adding the letters “B” and “I” highlight the Black and Indigenous communities, which acknowledges the fact that those separate communities face harsher oppression and violence than others. As a result of the rougher conditions, BIPOC heavily struggles with untreated mental health issues.
How did Minority Mental Health Awareness Month come into fruition?
Minority Mental Health Awareness Month was established in 2008 by the US House of Representatives in honor of Bebe Moore Campbell, an inspirational African-American woman.
The full name of this national month is Bebe Moore Campbell National Minority Mental Health Month. Bebe Moore Campbell was an African-American novelist who contributed heavily to NAMI and her fellow community through understanding and informing those in underserved communities about the heavy impacts of mental illnesses. After her passing in 2006, this national month was created to commemorate her legacy and her achievements.
Why is it important to dedicate an entire month to minority mental health awareness?
Historically, minorities face more difficult issues regarding mental health, whether it is dealing with stigma or a significant lack of resources.
National Minority Mental Health Month spreads awareness and shines a light on those who may need significant help or even a helpful step towards addressing any problems they may have with their mental health. As Bebe Moore Campbell once stated, “Once my loved ones accepted [my] 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 de-stigmatize mental illness, especially one targeted toward African Americans… It’s not shameful to have a mental illness. Get treatment. Recovery is possible.”
Understanding the importance of mental health and the complications that different communities may face is a necessary step in bettering awareness and sensitivity towards others. Mental health issues can affect anyone, regardless of age, status, gender, race, or sexual orientation; de-stigmatizing such issues will help those struggling receive treatment and pave a path for not only one person but countless others to live happier and healthier lives.
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