July Focus: Honoring Bebe Moore and Minority Mental Health Awareness
At Unlaced, we believe mental health conversations should be authentic, accessible, and rooted in community. July is especially important to us because it’s National Minority Mental Health Awareness Month, a time to highlight the mental health experiences of Black, Indigenous, and other communities of color.
This month honors the legacy of Bebe Moore Campbell, an author and advocate who worked tirelessly to bring attention to the mental health needs of underserved communities. Her work helped progress the conversation and challenged the stigma that has long existed around mental health in communities of color.
The Reality of Black Mental Health
Mental health challenges impact every community, but access to care and support is not always equal. Research suggests that Black Americans experience mental health conditions at similar rates to the general population, yet many still struggle to receive proper care.
Here are a few important facts:
Nearly 20% of Black adults experience a mental health condition each year.
Only about 1 in 3 Black adults who need mental health care actually receive treatment.
Black adults are significantly less likely to receive mental health services than the overall U.S. population.
Black Americans living below the poverty line are more than twice as likely to report serious psychological distress.
Why These Conversations Matter
Mental health has been a difficult topic in Black communities for generations. We’ve often been taught to “stay strong,” “push through,” or “pray about it.” Don’t get me wrong, faith and resilience can be powerful protective factors, but they shouldn’t replace access to support and therapy.
At Unlaced, we believe that kicking the stigma starts with conversation. We want people to understand that they are not alone, whether that’s through the products we create, the information we share, or the community we help support.
Carrying the Legacy Forward
The work Bebe Moore Campbell started continues through today’s advocates, therapists, creators, and everyday people who are willing to speak openly about mental health.
Because when we start talking about mental health openly, we make space for healing.
And that’s what being Unlaced is all about.
Sources
Mental Health America – African American Mental Health Statistics
National Alliance on Mental Illness – Black/African American Mental Health Resources
Office of Minority Health – Mental and Behavioral Health: Black/African Americans
NAACP – Addressing Mental Health in the Black Community