Advocates hope National Minority Mental Health Awareness Month can usher in much-needed reform [Video]

Since 2008, the U.S. has observed National Minority Mental Health Awareness Month each July to highlight the “unique” struggles that BIPOC face regarding mental illness. But advocates say more reform is needed to support marginalized people.

The non-profit Mental Health America organizes a campaign each year to commemorate author and advocate Bebe Moore Campbell, who wrote extensively on the impacts of racism and the importance of holistic well-being. She co-founded National Alliance of Mental Illness, Urban Los Angeles to address the inequities in medical services and decrease the stigma of mental health.

This year’s theme is “Culture, Community and Connection,” highlighting the fact that the environment often influences mental health and encouraging more support among each other.

“As Black people, we tend to not talk about what we feel,” said Dr. Lakeia Jones, the founder of AMRI Counseling Services, in a statement. “Then it comes out in anger, hurt, frustration. That’s what people see and you are labeled as crazy.”

Mental health advocates said diverse …