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July – National Minority Mental Health Awareness Month

Why are the topics of mental health and mental illness not regularly talked about in diverse groups that are part of our communities; such as people of color, or among the wide range of refugee and immigrant groups?

Could it be that mental illness doesn’t occur in these communities and among its varied people?

Of course not. Mental illness can occur in all people and across all communities.

Through our 2017 Minority Mental Health Month campaign, #NotACharacterFlaw, we asked the question: How does your community talk about mental health or mental illness?

The answer most people came to, was clear – people don’t talk about these issues.

However, we believe and know that people do talk about these issues, but they express themselves differently. The phrases and expressions that people use to talk about these issues oftentimes never touch on terms like “mental health” or “mental illness.”

There are many examples that people use to communicate what they are feeling that may be tied to more complex issues.

The fact is – the way in which individuals talk or don’t talk about mental health and mental  illness is influenced directly by the society and culture that a person is a part of. The way we  talk about these issues is a learned behavior.

Think about it. There are so many ways our communities think about mental health and mental illness  (often negatively), and we want your help to move past the stereotypical beliefs that are out  there, by sharing your story.

That’s why, this year, we are focusing on highlighting and validating the voices and experiences of individuals from across diverse communities through our #MyStoryMyWay campaign.

We want to listen and learn from you as you help to shed light on the way that diverse,  marginalized, and minority communities perceive, narrate, communicate, and address mental health  and mental illness. Join us and our partners throughout July for #MinorityMentalHealth Month!