Minority Mental Health Awareness as Self-Care

Mental illness doesn’t discriminate—but access to care, support, and healing often does. July is Minority Mental Health Awareness Month. In communities of color, conversations around mental health have long been shaped by stigma, systemic barriers, and cultural expectations. Yet change is happening, and it begins with acknowledgement, advocacy, and the courage to seek help.

According to the American Psychiatric Association, nearly one in five adults in the U.S. lives with a mental illness. However, people of color face unique stressors—such as racial trauma, immigration challenges, and economic inequality—that increase their vulnerability to anxiety, depression, PTSD, and other mental health conditions. Despite comparable or sometimes higher rates of psychological distress, black and brown communities are far less likely to receive mental health care.

There are several barriers that people of color face. They include a lack of access to culturally competent care, distrust of the healthcare system due to historical mistreatment, social stigma, and the lack of financial resources. These barriers don’t just delay care—they deepen the wound. Untreated mental illness can impact every facet of life, from relationships and employment to physical health.

Therapy, support groups, crisis helplines, and community wellness programs can all be powerful tools for healing. Culturally grounded initiatives—such as therapy collectives led by clinicians or peer-led support circles—are bridging gaps and creating safe spaces for truth-telling and recovery.

Breaking the silence around mental illness starts with honest conversations. Whether it’s checking in with a friend, sharing your journey, or simply listening without judgment, each act chips away at stigma. Mental health is a journey worth embarking upon.

Here’s to Your Health!