July is BIPOC Mental Health Month, bringing awareness to the unique struggles that historically excluded groups face with regard to mental health in the U.S. It was originally established in 2008 in honor of Bebe Moore Campbell, an American author, journalist, teacher, and mental health advocate who tirelessly shed light on the mental health needs of the Black community.
July is BIPOC Mental Health Month! It was established in honor of Bebe Moore Campbell, an American author, journalist, teacher, and advocate who tirelessly shed light on the mental health needs of the Black community. Click To TweetTo continue her work, Mental Health America develops a new public education campaign each year to address the mental health needs of Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC). This year’s theme is Strength in Communities, highlighting alternative mental health supports created by and for BIPOC and queer and trans BIPOC. This focus on community-developed systems of support fills in the gaps that traditional systems overlook, especially when it comes to cultural and historical factors that impact BIPOC mental health.
This year the theme of BIPOC Mental Health Month is Strength in Communities, highlighting alternative mental health supports created by and for BIPOC and queer and trans BIPOC. Click To Tweet Here is a list of organizations and resources created by and for BIPOC to support mental health. #BIPOCMentalHealthMonth Click To TweetBelow is a list of BIPOC organizations, people and resources to support BIPOC mental health, expanding upon our list from last year:
- Mental Health America’s 2021 toolkit
- Latinx Therapy, destigmatizing mental health in Latinx community, includes bilingual podcast and national directory to find Latinx therapists
- Melanin & Mental Health, connects individuals with culturally competent clinicians committed to serving the mental health needs of Black and Latinx/Hispanic communities
- Rest for Resistance by QTPoc Mental Health
- We R Native, for Native Youth, by Native Youth
- Black Girls Smile, nonprofit encouraging positive mental health education, resources and support for young Black females
- Pretty Brown Girl, empowering Black and Brown girls while encouraging self-acceptance
- GirlTrek, largest public health nonprofit for African-American women and girls, encouraging walking as a practical first step to healthy living and reclaiming neighborhoods
- The Safe Place, free smartphone app focused on psychoeducation and self-care for minority mental health
- Liberate, free meditation app designed for and by BIPOC
- Balanced Black Girl, podcast featuring approachable health, self-care, personal development, and well-being advice from Black women wellness experts
- Black Female Therapists, the #1 lifestyle and empowerment platform for women of color
- Black Girl in Om, “creating space for Black women to breathe easy”
- OmNoire, a social wellness club for women of color
- Transparent Black Girl, “redefining the conversation around wellness for Black women”
- Joy Revolution, podcast on prioritizing joy in QTPOC communities
Last year’s list:
- Therapy for Black Girls,
- Therapy for Black Men
- Dr. Joy Harden Bradford, clinical psychologist who created Therapy for Black Girls Thrive Tribe to give Black women a safe place to address personal and systemic issues that impact their lives
- The Asian Mental Health Project, founded by Carrie Zhang to prevent Asian individuals from fear and guilt often associated with mental illness
- Dr. Jennifer Mullan, clinical psychologist who created Decolonizing Therapy
- QTPOC Mental Health, grassroots trans-led organization for trans and queer people of color
- Northwest Portland Area Indian Health Board, nonprofit tribal advisory organization for Native health
- The Loveland Foundation, created by Rachel Cargle; prioritizing opportunity, access, validation, and healing for Black women and girls
- National Queer and Trans Therapists of Color Network, a healing justice organization committed to transforming mental health for queer and trans people of color (QTPOC)
- The National American Indian and Alaska Native MHTTC, provides mental health services to American Indian and Alaska Native individuals, families, and tribal and urban Native communities
- Brown Girl Therapy, founded by Sahaj Kohli for South Asians, first-gens, hyphenates, and women of color to learn more about therapy and identity exploration
- The Nap Ministry, founded by Tricia Hersey to promote rest for BIPOC individuals’ physical and mental health
- Inclusive Therapists, developed by Melody Li, FMFT, to be a place where individuals could find transparent and value-based inclusive care
- Boris Lawrence Henson Foundation, founded by Taraji P. Henson to change the perception of mental illness in the Black community
- South Asian Mental Health Initiative and Network, established to address the full range of mental health needs for South Asian community members
- Teaching Tolerance assembled several articles and an on-demand webinar titled Student Mental Health Matters to help educators create safe spaces for BIPOC students
- Sista Afya Community Mental Wellness, aims to sustain mental wellness of Black women through building community and connecting Black women to quality mental wellness services
- BEAM (Black Emotional and Mental Health), a community committed to the emotional and mental health and healing of Black communities
