NOVA Recognizes Importance of BIPOC Mental Health Awareness Month
July is Black, Indigenous and People of Color (BIPOC) Mental Health Month, a month dedicated to bringing awareness to the unique struggles that racial and ethnic minority communities face regarding mental illness in the United States. In May 2008, the month was originally named Bebe Moore Campbell National Minority Mental Health Awareness Month by the U.S. House of Representatives. Moore Campbell, a New York Times best-selling author and founder of NAMI Los Angeles, was a strong advocate for minority mental health.
As we settle into a post-pandemic era, life has nearly returned to “normal.” Yet, many are still reeling from on-going pandemic stressors, racial disparities and inequalities–particularly in communities of color. According to Mental Health America (MHA), seven million Black/African Americans, ten million Latinx/Hispanic Americans, 2.9 million Asian Americans, and 827,000 Native Americans/Alaskan Natives live with mental illness. Moreover, research shows several barriers are preventing BIPOC communities from receiving adequate mental healthcare. These include cultural and language differences; socioeconomic disparities; stigma; immigration status; hurdles to self-care and limited access to high-quality, culturally-informed mental healthcare.
We must do better. BIPOC Mental Health Awareness Month promotes advocacy and shines a spotlight on the challenges, but the work is far from over.
As July comes to a close, dedicated allies like the Office of DEI, the Office of Employee Wellness and Wellbeing and the Office of Wellness and Mental Health will continue the conversation; facilitate access to quality mental health services; provide resources and promote services that engage the NOVA community in healing, selfcare, community care and reducing the stigma around mental illness.
Want to learn more about BIPOC Mental Health Month? Check out the following resources:
- National Minority Mental Health Awareness Month — Home (hhs.gov)
- Prioritizing Minority Mental Health | Health Equity Features | CDC
- The Mental Health Coalition Resource Library
- Fitness Resources to Celebrate BIPOC Mental Health Month (happify.com)
- A Guide to Self-Care for the BIPOC Community (happify.com)
NOVA’s employee wellness partners are waiting and available to help support your efforts to take better care of your mental health.
- EAP – All health plans offered to state employees and their dependents have employee assistance programs (EAPs) available 24/7.
- TimelyCare – Access to this helpful resource is available to ALL members of the NOVA community. TimelyCare information for employees can be found on NOVAnet, while TimelyCare for students can be found on NOVA’s website. When you need support, TimelyCare’s diverse network of providers includes more than 50% who identify as BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, People of Color) to help and support you on your wellness journey.
Submitted by:
Dr. Dahlia Henry-Tett, Chief Wellness Officer, DHTett@nvcc.edu
Dr. Mia Harper, Associate Director of DEI, MHarper@nvcc.edu