Minority Mental Health Awareness Month - July 2018

What is Minority Mental Health Awareness Month?

In July 2008, National (US) Mental Health Awareness Month was established to address the disparity between the prevalence of mental illness in racial and ethnic minority populations and treatment. The goal is to bring awareness to the unique struggles that underrepresented groups experience with regards to mental illness.

Here on 7 Cups, we invite you to participate in a forum hunt that takes you through the general support community and the people of color community. We also have a variety of discussions on minorities and mental health this week led by users in the community! I will add the information for each discussion to this post as I get them. If you are creating a forum post or hosting a group support or feed event for minority mental health awareness month, please pm @MonBon! We invite you to please read below to learn more regarding minority mental health awareness month.

Group Support:

Human Right to Health and Health Care
Adult: Monday, July 23 @ 7 pm ET in the Healthy Living Room
Teen: Monday, July 23 @ 6 pm ET in the Healthy Living Room

Minorities and Mental Health [L]
Adult: Thursday, July 26 @ 7 pm ET in the Listener Discussion Room
Teen: Tuesday, July 24 @ 4 pm ET in the Teen Listeners Room

Forums:

My Story My Life Campaign - General Support

Cultural Competence in Mental Health of Minorities - General Support

Minority Groups and Health Care - Disability Support

Minority Mental Health Awareness Month - POC Community

What does ‘Minority mean in this context?

While the term ‘minority is traditionally associated with racial, ethnic, or cultural minorities within the US, Mental Health America (MHA) is focused on expanding this term to include individuals from a wide-range of marginalized and underserved communities, including those who may identify as part of the the LGBTQ+ spectrum, refugee and immigrant groups, religious groups, and others who are often overlooked. ~ Quote from Mental Health America (MHA)

Why do we observe Minority Mental Health Awareness Month?

According to Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA):

⬣ Over 70% of Black/African American adolescents with a major depressive episode did not receive treatment for their condition.

⬣ Almost 25% of adolescents with a major depressive episode in the last year were Hispanic/Latino.

⬣ Asian American adults were less likely to use mental health services than any other racial/ethnic groups.

⬣ In the past year, nearly 1 in 10 American Indian or Alaska Native young adults had serious thoughts of suicide.

⬣ In the past year, 1 in 7 Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander adults had a diagnosable mental illness.

Additionally, according to the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ): ‘Racial and ethnic minority groups in the U.S. are less likely to have access to mental health services, less likely to use community mental health services, more likely to use emergency departments, and more likely to receive lower quality care. ~ Quote from U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of Minority Health

Mental Health America (MHA) believes these are the 4 main barriers to getting help:

⬣ Insurance Coverage

⬣ Stigma

⬣ Language Barriers

⬣ Cultural Beliefs

Informational Links:

Overview of Mental Health Issues in Black and African American Communities

Overview of Mental Health Issues in Latino/Hispanic Communities

Overview of Mental Health Issues in Asian American/Pacific Islander Communities

Overview of Mental Health Issues in Native American Communities

Overview of Mental Health Issues in the Lesbian/Gay/Bisexual/Transgender Community

What is the #MyStoryMyWay campaign?

In July 2017, the minority mental health awareness campaign asked the question: ‘How does your community talk about mental health and mental illness?

The answer was a resounding: ‘They dont.

The way that individuals talk - or dont talk - about mental health and mental illness is a learned behavior that is a product of the society and culture they live in. This year we want to highlight and validate the voices and experiences of individuals with the hashtag: ‘#MyStoryMyWay

How can I participate in the #MyStoryMyWay campaign?

Since the #MyStoryMyWay campaign is a national (US) effort, you can participate both inside and outside of 7 cups. Please remember if you are participating outside 7 cups not to contact other 7 Cups users, suspected or otherwise. If you are wanting to remain anonymous but still share your story outside of 7 cups, Mental Health America (MHA) can turn your answers into anonymous social media posts, just email info@mentalhealthamerica.net with the subject title: ‘MMHM Submission

Your post should be about your individual experience and provide background so others can learn about the various experiences and lives of those in our community. You can share as much or as little (while maintaining privacy) as you feel comfortable. Here are some guiding questions for you to answer:

⬣ What are the most important parts of your identity?

⬣ What keeps you (or kept you) from talking about your experience?

⬣ If and when you were struggling, how did you know you something wasnt right?

⬣ How did those around you respond?

⬣ What do you do to take care of yourself?

⬣ What would you tell others who may share your experience?

You can use the hashtags #minoritymentalhealth, #mystorymyway, and #storiesbreakstigma

[L] indicates Listener only post or discussion

Additional Sources:

[1] https://minorityhealth.hhs.gov/omh/content.aspx?ID=9447&lvl=2&lvlid=12

[2] https://www.mentalhealthamerica.net/conditions/infographic-minority-mental-health

[3] https://www.mentalhealthamerica.net/conditions/minority-mental-health

[4] https://www.mentalhealthamerica.net/minority-mental-health-month