July is Black, Indigenous, Person of Color (BIPOC) Mental Health Awareness Month, formerly known as Bebe Moore Campbell National Minority Mental Health Awareness Month, a time to bring awareness to the unique challenges faced by historically oppressed racial groups within the United States as well as the strengths these communities have exhibited in times of hardship. Culture, ethnicity, and race significantly impact the way an individual walks through the world and experiences the systems at play in society. Regardless of identity, each individual deserves accessible mental health care and resources tailored to their specific needs.

BIPOC Mental Health Awareness Month and Bebe Moore Campbell

Bebe Moore Campbell was an author, journalist, educator, and mental health advocate who fought consistently for the mental health needs of the Black community as well as other underserved groups. Not only did she found NAMI-Inglewood, she also was the reason why BIPOC Mental Health Awareness Month was created in 2008. Her work not only serves as the foundation for mental health advocacy work but also continued inspiration for ongoing work today in support of BIPOC mental health.

BIPOC Mental Health Challenges

BIPOC individuals experience a plethora of challenges due to oppression and discrimination, which significantly impacts mental health outcomes and treatments. Research illustrates that generational trauma stemming from racism-related stressors is not only associated with poor mental health but also physical impacts, disproportionate risk of developing disability, and shorter life expectancy.

According to a study by Mental Health America, multiracial people are more likely to be at-risk for depression, anxiety, eating disorders, and substance use. Native and indigenous people in particular are more likely to develop post-traumatic stress disorder and bipolar disorder compared to other groups. There are also discrepancies in diagnosis and available resources due to bias within the healthcare field. For example, Black youth are more likely to be diagnosed with ADHD but less likely to be diagnosed with mood disorders, schizophrenia spectrum disorders, and depression than their white counterparts. Inequities are more pronounced among those with additional marginalized identities, such as being queer or disabled, which creates further barriers to accessible and adequate care.

BIPOC Barriers to Care

There are numerous barriers to receiving adequate mental health care, particularly for BIPOC individuals and those with marginalized identities. Providers may harbor cultural incompetency or bias; therefore, there may be less understanding of important cultural and language differences. Because racial inequality has negatively affected economic security, there are socioeconomic disparities. Immigration status may also make it difficult or dangerous to receive care. With all of these factors, it is no surprise that BIPOC groups may be less likely to seek mental health resources. Historically, medical spaces have not been safe for people of color due to experiences of abuse, manipulation, discrimination, and higher mortality rates, leading to a justified distrust in healthcare systems. Mental health professionals can engage in community outreach efforts to make mental health more accessible, educate themselves and those around them to reduce emotional labor demanded from BIPOC folks, encourage community connections, and work to decrease stigma.

BIPOC Mental Health Resources

Each person deserves accessible resources to engage in healing, self-care, community care, and proper tools to cope with mental conditions. Mental health community resources include Therapy for Black Girls, Therapy for Black Men, BEAM, Melanin and Mental Health, Latinx Therapy, Asian Mental Health Collective, National Asian American Pacific Islander Mental Health Association, Native Hope, Circles of Care, Native American Lifelines, and Indigenous Story Studio. Please consider reaching out to Embrace Therapy for additional support and information.