July is National Minority Mental Health Awareness Month! Established as a national holiday in 2008, this observance is a time to bring awareness to the unique mental health concerns faced by racial and ethnic minorities and work towards destigmatizing mental health.
This awareness month was founded in honor of Bebe Moore Campbell (1950 – 2006), who was an American author, journalist, teacher, and mental health advocate. Campbell was inspired to bring awareness to the unique mental health struggles of racial and ethnic minority communities through her personal experiences with a family member’s mental health.
From the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Office of Minority Health (OMH), the 2024 theme of National Minority Mental Health Awareness Month is Be The Source for Better Health: Improving Health Outcomes Through Our Cultures, Communities, and Connections.
We are proud to uplift a few New Jersey-based organizations that provide mental health services for minority communities:
- Something Positive for Positive People (SPFPP) is a nonprofit focused on sexual and mental health support for individuals living with herpes.
- The Latino Mental Health Association of New Jersey is committed to addressing the mental health needs of Latinos by supporting mental health professionals through the advancement of training, treatment, research, and mentorship, and by advocating for the well-being of the Latino community.
- The New Jersey Chapter Association of Black Psychologists is a nonprofit organization of psychologists of African descent dedicated to community service, professional development, and addressing issues related to the mental well-being of residents in the State of New Jersey, most specifically its Black residents.
Together, we can work to advance health equity, reduce health disparities, and be the source for better health for racial and ethnic minority populations — no matter what.
Learn more about National Minority Mental Health Awareness Month here!
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