LIFE

July is National Minority Mental Health Awareness Month—aka the perfect time to reflect and raise awareness for the challenges that underrepresented communities of color face in the United States.

But while it's one thing to repost a cute graphic about it on your IG Story (and we're definitely here for that), it's important to understand the true purpose behind the month...and what you can do to help yourself if you're struggling.

Why National Minority Mental Health Awareness Month is important

It all started with author and mental health activist Bebe Moore Campbell. She was committed to improving the mental health of minorities across America. After she passed away in 2006, Congress designated July as National Minority Mental Health Month to honor her legacy.

And we need all the awareness we can get. According to the American Psychiatric Association, black and Hispanic people experience "more persistent" rates of depression than other ethnic groups. On top of that, only a third of black people in America who need mental health help actually get it. These are gaps we seriously need to close.

Where to get help with your mental health

If you're struggling, you're not alone—and it doesn't have to feel like this forever. There are resources out there to help you out of a dark place.

 Listen to convos with great therapists on the Therapy for Black Girls podcast.
 Check out the TeenLife database of mental health resources.
 Get honest with a friend or a family member about how you're doing.
 Find a therapist near you to help process your mental health in ways you might not be able to do on your own.

How to find the right therapist

How can you tell the difference between a good therapist and a bad one? The answer: It's all subjective. "So much of what happens in therapy depends on the person and the therapist and how they work together. So somebody could be a really bad therapist for me but be a great therapist for you," says psychologist Dr. Joy Harden Bradford, founder of the Therapy for Black Girls podcast and author of Sisterhood Heals: The Transformative Power of Healing in Community. 

The search can be a little tougher for black girls. You might feel like the only person who can truly understand and help you is another black woman, but Dr. Joy says you should "be really open-minded" when figuring out which therapist to work with. Above all, prioritize what a therapist is willing to do for you more than just who they are.

More mental health hacks

Taking care of your physical health is a simple first step in nurturing your brain. Dr. Joy says establishing a healthy, consistent sleep schedule "is an underrated hack, because we don't realize how good quality sleep actually impacts our mental health."

Physical exercise is also major for mental health. Exercising stimulates endorphins—aka happiness hormones. Looking for a low-impact workout to help boost your mood? Try at-home pilates. All you need is a mat!

The importance of sisterhood

Have you ever left a hangout sesh with your girls feeling wayyy better than when you arrived? It's true that having a support system can be a huge boost to your mental health. But what if you don't have super close BFFs to rely on?

"I think there are awesome people in our lives [already] who could actually become an important part of our support system," Dr. Joy says. Think about that one girl in your class you've always wanted to be friends with, or maybe the cousin you wish you were closer to. That person could be a potential BFF-in-hiding.

Scared to approach? Dr. Joy acknowledges that "people tend to be afraid of rejection, because nobody wants to put themselves out there and hear, 'No, I'm not interested in getting to know you.' But the truth is that the converse also could happen. Look around the background of your life and see—are there people there that you haven't made the effort to get to know?"

Need help ASAP?

If you need help right now, call the National Mental Health Hotline at 866-903-3787 or the Suicide 7 Crisis Lifeline at 988. You're not alone.

by Hana Tilksew | 7/23/2024