July is National Minority Mental Health Awareness Month—a time to shed light on the unique mental health challenges and disparities in mental health care that impact communities of color. July is National Minority Mental Health Awareness Month—a time to shed light on the unique mental health challenges and disparities in mental health care that impact communities of color. Also known as “Bebe Moore Campbell Minority Mental Health Awareness Month,” this designation honors Bebe Moore Campbell, an author, journalist, and mental health advocate who dedicated her career to addressing the mental health needs of underserved communities through storytelling, education, and advocacy.

After Campbell passed away from brain cancer in 2006, her friends and loved ones rallied to preserve her legacy. Their advocacy efforts led to the U.S. House of Representatives officially designating July as Bebe Moore Campbell National Minority Mental Health Awareness Month in 2008. Today, we continue to recognize Campbell’s lifelong commitment to championing minority mental health as integral to the fight for health equity and social justice. Research shows that adverse mental health outcomes experienced by people of color are often linked to racism, the cost and growing inaccessibility of mental health services, and cultural stigma surrounding mental health challenges. Addressing each of these barriers is crucial to building more equitable, inclusive, and culturally responsive mental health care services for all.

Whittier Street Health Center is proud to specialize in providing mental and behavioral health services that uplift and center the needs of underserved populations. From individual/group counseling and therapy to substance use treatment and medication management services, we are committed to delivering high-quality, accessible mental health care for individuals and families across our diverse community. Above all, we encourage everyone—especially those who have historically faced barriers to care—to reach out for help when they are struggling, and to know that healing is possible with the right support.

To learn more about mental health services at Whittier, please visit https://www.wshc.org/services/behavioral-health/.