PHP observes National Minority Mental Health Awareness Month

Philadelphia Health Partnership recognizes July as the?Bebe Moore Campbell National Minority Mental Health Awareness Month, also known as BIPOC Mental Health Month.

First designated by the U.S. Congress in 2008, this month honors the legacy of?Bebe Moore Campbell:?a mental health advocate and writer, born in Philadelphia, who championed the importance of equitable and inclusive mental health care. Campbell worked to reduce the stigma associated with mental health issues – particular in Black communities and other communities of color – and?contributed to a national movement for mental and physical health care parity.

Barriers to accessing mental and behavioral health care persist for BIPOC people and other underrepresented groups – including experiences of bias and discrimination stemming from systemic racism, lack of culturally competent care and representative providers, and stigma.

For instance, according to the?Kaiser Family Foundation?analysis, “among adults with any mental illness, Black (39%), Hispanic (36%), and Asian (25%) adults were less likely than White (52%) adults to receive mental health services as of 2021” (Source: KFF analysis of SAMHSA, Center for Behavioral Health Statistics and Quality, National Survey on Drug Use and Health Data, 2021).

PHP is committed to improving access to equitable, responsive mental and behavioral health care and services through our grant making and advocacy.

Stay tuned to our LinkedIn page to learn more about our collaboration with community-based mental health providers including?Oshun Family Center?and?La Puerta Abierta.