July is Bebe Moore Campbell National Minority Mental Health Month. Before her death in 2006, Bebe Moore Campbell was an author, journalist, teacher, and a mental health advocate. She worked continually to bring awareness to the lack of mental health support in many communities of color. Bebe Moore Campbell worked with her friend, Wharton Boyd, and others and carried their advocacy work to our nation’s Capital. Eventually, in 2008 the U.S. House of Representatives declared July as National Minority Mental Health Month.

Communities of color continue to face many mental health challenges. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported that in 2020, suicide was the third leading cause of death among blacks or African Americans ages 15- 24. The death rate from suicide for Hispanic men was four times the rate of Hispanic women in 2018. Black females in grades 9-12 were 60 percent more likely to attempt suicide in 2019 compared with Caucasian females in the same age range. Statistics show that suicide attempts for Hispanic girls were 30 percent higher than Caucasian girls in the same age range.

According to behavioral health clinician, Ming Strother, many ethnic minority groups are less likely to seek mental health care than their white counterparts for a multitude of reasons. There remains a general mistrust of the healthcare system among these groups. Other reasons for consideration include poverty, lack of access, lack of proper health insurance, provider discrimination, stigma and cost. We must continue to find ways to support communities of color and the mental health organizations that are working to provide care. NAMI of Central Texas has compiled a list of local resources focused on mental health access and advocacy for BIPOC communities. 

Austin Area African American Behavioral Health Network hogg.utexas.edu/4abhn
Composed of behavioral health professionals, people with lived mental and behavioral health experience, youth and their families, faith leaders, and community members, the network identifies and brings together local, recovery-oriented supports.

Austin Asian Community Health Initiative aachi.org
Nonprofit providing spaces, services, resources, and programs through an Asian American Pacific Inlander perspective. Provides healthcare navigation services.

Austin Latinx Chicanx Behavioral Health Network hogg.utexas.edu/lcbhn
The network provides a space for Latinx/Chicanx persons interested in the design, delivery, and cultural appropriateness of behavioral health policies, programs, services, and supports for Latinx/Chicanx persons living with or impacted by mental health, substance use, and/or developmental disabilities.

Black Mommas ATX blackmamasatx.com
Nonprofit addressing maternal health disparities, including mental health needs, for Black women.