What is National Minority Mental Health Month?

This month celebrates the BIPOC community, and emphasizes the importance of mental health. It acknowledges the hardships and stressors that black, indigenous, and people of color overall go through. Due to the lack of safe spaces and resources provided for people to seek mental health aid, taking care of your mental health is seen as problematic. Mental health and its leaders continue to be overlooked. Figures like Bebe Moore Campbell changed the way our world caters to our health. We’ll be discussing how essential mental health is for people of color, as well as the founder’s perspective as she created this holiday.

The Herstory of BIPOC Mental Health Month

Bebe Moore Campbell is an American Author, Motivational Speaker and Journalist. She had a B.S in education, yet diverted from education to pursue writing. During the mid-1970s, her articles were featured in many new stations. As her work became published on The New York Times, The Washington Post and other stations, Bebe Campbell branched out of her role as teacher and into writing and commentating. She won New York Times Notable for her book Your Blues Ain’t Like Mine. She was devoted to community projects and shared her experience living in the south as a child.

“I pitched it and she liked it on 'Successful Women, Angry Men: Backlash in the Two-Career Marriage.' What happens when husband and wives are competitive with each other's careers, who's taking care of the kids, what are the disappointments? What happens when a woman does become very successful? How does a man handle it? So, I did this piece and it was well received…” - Bebe Moore Campbell.

She was a founder of the NAMI Inglewood, where she hosted group discussions, hosted support groups and advocated for communities of color. She hosted events as a speaker to discuss the importance of mental health as part of her book tour, in addition to fundraising for change to be made towards mental health. She connected with mental health professionals, like Daniel H. Gillison, to make assistance for your mental health accessible no matter where you come from. Her impact left a positive effect on our future because of her drive to make mental health assistance accessible for the BIPOC community. Black people and communities of color were unable to take care of their health because of financial distress and limited resources. Regardless, she paved a way for people to treat their mental health and seek support from professionals and their community.

A Deeper Look at the Purpose
Bebe was aware of the neglect and barriers placed on minorities. She was adamant on support for minority mental health awareness from churches, education and civic organizations to end the destigmatization around the issue of mental illness particularly for African Americans. 

“..No one wants to say, I'm not in control of my mind regardless of their race but, people of color, particularly African Americans really react adversely to the routine of having another deficit. We know that in a race conscious society we already have one deficit; so we don’t wanna own up to having another one, so we go right into denial.” - Bebe Moore Campbell.

Minorities continue to be overlooked in every aspect of life. Our mental health is jeopardized because of the systems put in place to limit us. It is draining for people to constantly tolerate being belittled and judged because of their race. She prioritized minorities, specifically African Americans because of their history, and the divide amongst ourselves as people continue to ignore their mental health and submit to the circumstances that put us at a disadvantage. 

Ways to include your peers for Minority Mental Health Month

Having conversations about your mental health isn’t easy. When your background starts to become a factor on how you are treated, it can cause you to feel invalidated and stuck with keeping your feelings to yourself. If you or a friend are struggling with your mental health, redirect them to a resource that allows them to express their emotions. 

“Despite these (and more) elevated needs, these underserved communities remain frequently underrepresented in mental health research and unable to access care. Systemic inequities, implicit biases and cultural stigma all contribute to ongoing disparities for these populations.” - Daniel H. Gillison.

Participating in enrichment activities is a great step to taking care of your mental health. Going to a wellness event, sitting in for an activity or inviting a friend to a local mental health event can improve their way of living and encourage them to ask for help. Include your friend in conversations. Allow them to share more about their lifestyle and feelings. This is a great way to help people of color feel validated while they express their culture and share more about themselves. Being attentive to your peers, especially underrepresented communities, is important and will continue to make a difference beyond National Minority Mental Health Month.

Sources

Gillison, Daniel. “What Bebe Moore Campbell’s Legacy Means to Me.” National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI), 30 July 2021, www.nami.org/from-the-ceo/what-bebe-moore-campbells-legacy-means-to-me/. 

Bebe Moore Campbell’s Biography, www.thehistorymakers.org/biography/bebe-moore-campbell-41. Accessed 17 July 2025. 

“July Is National Minority Mental Health Awareness Month.” Compass Health, 3 Oct. 2023, www.compasshealth.org/july-is-national-minority-mental-health-awareness-month/. 

“Bipoc Mental Health Month.” Mental Health America, 11 June 2025, mhanational.org/bipoc-mental-health/bipoc-mental-health-month/.