Growing Bebe’s Legacy: Shifting Mental Health Culture Through Conversations
In 2008, inspired by Bebe Moore Campbell’s charge to end stigma and provide mental health support for minoritized communities, July was designated as Bebe Moore Campbell National Minority Mental Health Awareness Month by the U.S. House of Representatives. There have been recent attempts to change the month’s name, but at NAMI we continue to recognize the importance of honoring and continuing Bebe Moore Campbell’s incredible legacy and groundbreaking work in helping to shift the mental health culture in underserved communities.
Mental health affects us all, and everyone deserves the inherent right to have access to mental health support, resources, and care. Still, not everyone has equal and equitable access to these crucial services because of stigma, shame, or fear of judgment. These factors create significant barriers that prevent individuals from seeking mental health care.
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Healing Communities One Conversation at a Time
This July, inspired by Bebe Moore Campbell’s unwavering commitment to eradicating stigma in minority communities, NAMI is dedicated to eliminating stigma and shifting mental health culture through the power of conversation. Join us in elevating the voices of those in communities that have been historically neglected and marginalized, ensuring they receive the best support, understanding, and resources they need to thrive, and no one is left behind.
Through education, advocacy, and community support and empowerment, we can create a future where mental health is a priority for all. Together, we can heal communities. It starts with one conversation.
Download the Toolkit
We at NAMI have created this toolkit to support NAMI State Organizations and Affiliates, partners and ambassadors, and other mental health champions in an effort to promote Bebe Moore Campbell National Minority Mental Health Awareness Month. We encourage you to use these resources in your own promotion and awareness efforts.
Join us in shifting the mental health culture through conversation. Download our toolkit for more insights and resources on how to spread awareness.
NAMI Community Conversations
Join us by using your voice and sharing your story as we fearlessly reshape and shift the mental health culture through conversations. Help us amplify our Community Conversation Initiatives: a three-part community conversation series designed by and created for racially and ethnically diverse communities to have open and honest discussions on mental health and wellness by sharing first-hand experiences, identifying the signs and symptoms of mental health challenges, and sharing tools and resources for support.
- NAMI Sharing Hope: Designed by and created for people of Black/African Ancestry communities
- NAMI Compartiendo Esperanza: Created by and for Hispanic/Latin American communities
- NAMI Chai & Chat: For, by, and about South Asian communities
- NAMI Maniwala: Created to empower Filipino/Filipinx/Philippine communities
Join the Conversation
Sign up to receive more information on how you can shift the mental health culture in your family and community through conversation. You can inspire others who may be silently struggling. Your story and resilience have the power to inspire and uplift those around you.
NAMI Community Conversation Initiatives create sacred spaces for communities to safely explore conversations on mental health. All are designed to promote mental health awareness, explore signs and symptoms of mental health conditions, and highlight how and where to find help. Choose which one resonates with you most!
Bebe Moore Awareness Month
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Get Social With #ShadesofMentalHealth
#ShadesofMentalHealth embraces the diverse backgrounds, cultures, experiences, and stories of people from minoritized communities. It encourages a more supportive, inclusive, and understanding mental health community that normalizes mental health conversation without shame.
Throughout July, we invite you to share our messages below or create your own messages about how you are shifting the culture through the power of courageous community conversations. Help us amplify the message that there is strength in vulnerability.
Don’t forget to tag us at @NAMICommunicate on Instagram and X (formerly Twitter) and @NAMI on TikTok, Facebook, and LinkedIn. Be sure to use the hashtag #ShadesofMentalHealth and #BebeMoorelegacy in your posts.
Platforms
Weekly/daily activations will be taking place on NAMI’s social media channels. Be sure to follow NAMI to tune in, repost, retweet, and share: Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, Threads, TikTok, X, YouTube.
Hashtags
#ShadesofMentalHealth
#BebeMooreLegacy
nami.org/bebemoore
Sample Social Media Captions
Let’s unite to remove the harmful mental health stigmas and systemic barriers that have gripped our community for far too long. #ShadesofMentalHealth #BebeMooreLegacy
As we share our mental health journeys — the good, the bad, and the ugly — we begin to let down our walls and create safe spaces within our communities. Join me in fostering open conversations. #BebeMooreLegacy
Culturally competent mental health care shouldn’t be a luxury; it should be the norm in our society. #ShadesofMentalHealth
As I walk further into my purpose and shed societal stereotypes and stigma, I am breaking generational curses and creating a new norm for mental health awareness and acceptance. #ShadesofMentalHealth
In communities of color, let’s create spaces where people can prioritize their mental health, where their voices are heard, where support thrives and flows freely, and where healing can take root. #BebeMooreLegacy #ShadesofMentalHealth
Download Graphics
Incorporate these graphics and logos in your social media posts, cover images, website hero images or other materials existing messaging to help spread awareness during July. Download the graphics below or find the full selection of graphics at www.nami.org/awareness-resources/
More Ways to Spread Awareness This Month
Here are a few more ways to help spread awareness during Bebe Moore Campbell National Minority Mental Health Awareness Month– , and to help start healthy mental health conversations in your community.
Crisis Can’t Wait Campaign: Join this campaign, powered by NAMI’s Community Health Equity Alliance, to help create a shared urgency in reducing mental health crises in Black/African Ancestry communities around the country.
NAMI Support Groups: NAMI support groups are free, peer-led, and offer participants an opportunity to share their experiences and gain support from others.
NAMI HelpLines: If you or someone you know needs mental health support, NAMI HelpLines are here to help. Connect with a NAMI HelpLine specialist or Teen & Young Adult HelpLine specialist today.
Become an Advocate
NAMI advocates with elected officials to ensure people get help early, people get the best possible care, and people get diverted from justice system involvement. But, we can’t do this without you. Your voice makes a difference.
NAMI HelpLines
In Need of Help or Support?
You are not alone! If you are struggling with your mental health, the NAMI HelpLine is here for you. Connect with a NAMI HelpLine specialist or Teen & Young Adult HelpLine specialist today.
The NAMI HelpLine is a free, nationwide peer-support service providing information, resource referrals and support to people living with a mental health condition, their family members and caregivers, mental health providers and the public.
The NAMI Teen & Young Adult (T&YA) HelpLine offers a direct connection with another young person who shares similar experiences and is prepared to offer information, resources, and support to help you move through difficult times to a better place.
Available Monday Through Friday, 10 A.M. – 10 P.M. ET
Call 1-800-950-NAMI (6264), text "HelpLine" to 62640 or chat with us at nami.org/help.
Call 1-800-950-NAMI (6264), text "HelpLine" to 62640 or chat with us at nami.org/talktous.
Need Immediate Help in A Crisis?
988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline – Dial or text 988 if you or someone you know is having thoughts of suicide or experiencing a mental health crisis and get connected to a trained crisis counselor 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Crisis counselors listen empathetically and without judgment. Your crisis counselor will work to ensure that you feel safe and help identify options and information about mental health services in your area.
