Minority Mental Health Awareness Month
Mental health conditions do not discriminate based on race, color, gender or identity. Anyone can experience the challenges of mental illness regardless of their background. However, background and identity can make access to mental health treatment much more difficult. National Minority Mental Health Awareness Month was established in 2008 to start changing this.
Each year millions of Americans face the reality of living with a mental health condition.
Taking on the challenges of mental health conditions, health coverage and the stigma of mental illness requires all of us. In many communities, these problems are increased by less access to care, cultural stigma and lower quality care.
CEOs Statement on Racism
“The effect of racism and racial trauma on mental health is real and cannot be ignored.” Read NAMI CEO, Daniel H. Gillison’s, full statement about racist incidents across the country and their impact on mental health.
About You Are Not Alone
NAMI’s You Are Not Alone campaign features the lived experience of people affected by mental illness to fight stigma, inspire others and educate the broader public. Now more than ever, the mental health community must come together and show that no one is ever really alone. The campaign builds connection and increases awareness with the digital tools that make connection possible during a climate of physical distancing. NAMI supports all diverse backgrounds, cultures and perspectives, reminding everyone that you are not alone.
Help us spread the word through awareness, support and advocacy activities. Share minority mental health awareness information, images and graphics for #MinorityMentalHealth throughout July.
America’s entire mental health system needs improvement, including when it comes to serving marginalized communities. Learn more about how you can get involved with Minority Mental Health Awareness Month.
How to Engage with "You Are Not Alone" During Minority Mental Health Month
During Bebe Moore Campbell National Minority Mental Health Awareness Month, we will be uplifting the experiences of underrepresented communities through NAMI.org Personal Stories, NAMI Blogs, social media and our Strength over Silence documentary miniseries. Please help us show support by sharing and contributing.
NAMI.org Personal Stories
Throughout the month of July, we will feature personal stories about how culture impacts mental health. Personal stories are brief, informal snapshots of lived experience, making them unique from pieces published on the NAMI Blog. By sharing stories of lived experience, we aim to highlight the importance of minority mental health and to make people feel less alone in their mental health journeys. You can submit your story at nami.org/yourstory.
Selected stories will be featured on nami.org/personal-stories and NAMI social media channels.
NAMI Blog
The NAMI Blog will also feature stories from underrepresented communities. New posts are added weekly. Visit the NAMI Blog at nami.org/Blogs/NAMI-Blog and look for posts on our social media featuring quotes from our authors.
Social Media
Include some of our social media graphics in your posts throughout the month of July.
Hashtags to Use: #NotAlone, #MinorityMentalHealth, #MMHAM
Strength Over Silence Video Series: Stories of Courage, Culture and Community
In this ongoing docuseries, NAMI highlights perspectives on mental health across backgrounds and communities. Through candid and courageous stories of lived experience, these mental health champions share their resilience and recovery, emphasizing the importance of culture and identity in the mental health movement.