July is National Minority Mental Health Awareness Month.  The National Institute on Mental Health (NAMI) created this month in 2008 in order to highlight that 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.

Please find resources below associated with minority populations, mental health, the challenges that currently exist, and what communities can do to combat these challenges.

NAMI Bebe Moore Campbell National Minority Mental Health Awareness Month Resource Page – Includes a statement from their CEO, story sharing, a docuseries, and more.

NAMI Sharing Hope: Mental Wellness in the Black Community – Sharing Hope is a three-part video series that explores the journey of mental wellness in Black communities through dialogue, storytelling and a guided discussion.

Steel Smiling – Steel Smiling, a Pittsburgh based nonprofit, bridges the gap between community members and mental health support through education, advocacy and awareness. Resources include: 

• Beams to Bridges: This mental health training and support program. Individuals that go through this mental health training and support program in order to become mental health supporters and promotors of wellness. Individuals learn about mental health and help give individuals tools to support their own mental health and the help of others.
• Referral Program: Steel Smiling is similar to the Sally and Howard Levin Clubhouse in their approach to recovery and wellness. They encourage education and wellness, but are not a clinical program. For instance if people are interested in being connected with a clinical professional, Steel Smiling will refer them to a therapist or specialist to meet the needs they have. If some folks do not have insurance, or cannot cover their copay, Steel Smiling has financial assistance to help cover costs. This is on a case by case basis.
• Youth Programming: Steel Smiling is currently in the process of revamping their youth programming. They plan on reopening this program in the fall.

FISA Foundation, The Heinz Endowments and The Pittsburgh Foundation – These organizations have partnered to strengthen our communities work at the intersection of race and disability, and to better address the needs of people of color with disabilities. Click here to find insightful webinars regarding race and disability.

412 Black Jewish Collaborative – The mission of the 412 Black Jewish Collaborative is to catalyze and elevate Black and Jewish Relationships in Pittsburgh.

I Am Because We Are: Reclaiming African Culture as a Source of Strength in Black Communities, July 28th Webinar – During this webinar, Dr. Charmain Jackman will share how connecting to African values and cultural practices promotes emotional well-being in Black communities. With a focus on faith, rituals, celebrations, and activism, Dr. Jackman will discuss how community-focused cultural practices such as voudou and healing circles, and cultural values such as ubuntu and sawubona, are central to the resistance, survival, and healing of people from the African diaspora. Dr. Jackman will share how mental health professionals, community healers, media, and global movements are fostering community healing in the face of collective racial trauma. Dr. Jackman will also spotlight organizations that have demonstrated a commitment to community healing.