HelpMinority Mental Health Month
Minority Mental Health Month
Mental health conditions do not discriminate.
Not across race, gender, ethnicity, economics, nor politics.
Brain diseases don’t ask questions.
We work very hard every day to make sure our services are accessible to as many people as possible.
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. In 2008, July was established as Bebe Moore Campbell National Minority Mental Health Awareness Month to address this disparity.
Our beliefs, norms, values, and language affect how we perceive and experience mental health conditions. We know that non-white racial and ethnic minority groups face additional barriers that prevent them from receiving care, such as higher levels of stigma, misinformation about mental health, and language.
Even when members of these groups are able to access treatment, they often receive poorer quality care due to lack of cultural competence, bias, and inadequate resources – on the part of mental health care providers. This results in misdiagnosis, dropping out of treatment, and a longer time to achieve recovery. However, when a mental health professional does take into account cultural needs and differences, outcomes can be significantly improved.
Although everyone’s experience is unique, having information and knowledge about resources specific to your community can help you get better treatment.
Events for July 2022
What’s the 411 on 988?
Everyone experiencing a mental health, substance use, or suicide crisis deserves an appropriate response. Until this point, crisis calls for help have been met with inappropriate responses in our city. Instead of getting the care they need, this has led many to end up in the emergency room, in jail, homeless, or worse.
On July 16, 2022, a new national three-digit crisis number goes live. With the launch of 988, the hope is that this will change how crisis response happens.
Join us as we discuss with experts what this three-digit crisis number means for our community members, as well as the work still needed to build a crisis response system that addresses the needs of New Yorkers, especially those living in historically marginalized areas.
Thursday, July 14
Watch the English + ASL interpretation replay
En español
Recognizing Intergenerational and Racial Trauma and Finding Healing
Researchers and clinicians have long recognized the effects of intergenerational trauma – trauma that gets passed down from those who directly experience an incident to subsequent generations. Intergenerational trauma may begin with a traumatic event affecting an individual, traumatic events affecting multiple family members, or collective trauma affecting a larger community. Intergenerational trauma can easily intersect with racial trauma – itself a type of collective trauma. However, both intergenerational and racial trauma remain underacknowledged, in clinical settings as well as public conversations about mental health. Denial and distancing are common ways of interacting with traumas both individually and collectively.
With this event we hope to acknowledge, rather than deny, how these forms of trauma affect us as individuals, families, and communities struggling with mental health issues. We will discuss how intergenerational and racial trauma intersect and how they remain distinct; what they look like; how they can impact individuals, families, and relationships; and how family and community members can help each other regenerate. We hope that you join us!
Spanish and ASL interpretation will be available. This event will be recorded for replay after.
Wednesday, July 27 from 4-5 PM ET.
CLICK HERE TO RSVP FOR THE INFORMATION TO JOIN
Monthly Support Groups
Asian American & Pacific Islander (AAPI)
For people who identify as Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) and are living with any mental health challenge. This includes South Asians, East Asians, Southeast Asians, North Asians, Middle East Asians, and Pacific Islanders. 1st & 3rd Tuesday, 6 to 7:30pm ET.
Connect via Zoom
- To join with video, click here.
- To join by phone, dial 646-558-8656, Meeting ID: 896 2769 5201, Password: 077578
Asian American & Pacific Islander (AAPI) Family & Friends
For people who identify as Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) and have a loved one who is living with any mental health challenge. This includes South Asians, East Asians, Southeast Asians, North Asians, Middle East Asians, and Pacific Islanders. 1st & 3rd Wednesday, 6 to 7:30pm ET.
Connect via Zoom
- To join with video, click here.
- To join by phone, dial 646-558-8656, Meeting ID: 481 431 782, Password: 074801
Black Minds Matter
Peer support for people who identify as Black and are living with mental illness or any mental health condition. 2nd & 4th Friday, 6 to 7:30pm.
Connect via Zoom
- To join with video, click here.
- To join by phone, dial 646-558-8656, Meeting ID: 816 0812 5182, Password: 304462
Black Minds Matter Family & Friends
Peer support for people who identify as Black and have a loved one living with mental illness or any mental health condition. 1st & 3rd Monday, 8 to 9:30pm ET.
Connect via Zoom
- To join with video, click here.
- To join by phone, dial 646-558-8656, Meeting ID: 813 7117 3048, Password: 051444
Familiares y Amistades
Apoyo, intercambio de estrategias de afrontamiento, y la información práctica para los familiares y amigos de personas con alguna enfermedad mental. Este grupo de apoyo se ofrece la oportunidad de: Proporcionar información para hacer frente; Hablar libremente sin temor a ser juzgado; Compartir lo que ayuda, lo que no, y hablar de la vida en general. Cada tercer martes de 8 a 9:30 pm ET.
- Enlace para unirse: Zoom
- O puede llamar usando este número (no se requiere acceso a Internet): 646-558-8656. Cuando se le solicite, ingrese el ID de la reunión: 842 2821 7165, contraseña: 873617