Bebe Moore Campbell was a New York Times bestselling author and advocate for mental health who died from brain cancer in 2006. Her powerful stories highlighted themes of racism, mental health, and family left a lasting mark .In 2008, Congress passed a resolution that established the month of July as Bebe Moore Campbell National Minority Mental Health Awareness Month.
Finding treatment in many communities is a barrier to mental health treatment that can make a difference in life. There are multiple reasons for this including inadequate health insurance, accessibility, stigma, and a desire to be treated by someone with whom they identify racially and ethnically. Environmental factors impact the emotional well-being and mental health of many communities such as racial discrimination, violence, traumatic events, and poverty. Poverty often limits access to care but is also a stressor.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration reports that in 2020, fewer than one in every two African American adults got care for mental health. In 2018, Asian Americans were 60 percent less likely to receive mental health treatment than non-Hispanic Whites. The disparities that persist for these groups are well-established.
It is a time to bring awareness to the unique challenges that racial and ethnic minorities in the United States face when it comes to mental illness. July offers us an opportunity to shed light on mental illness among racial and ethnic minorities.
This month we will highlight ways to improve mental health through actions, contacting providers, and food options.
FACTS
Annual prevalence of mental illness among U.S. adults, by demographic group:
Non-Hispanic Asian: 16.4%
Non-Hispanic Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander: 18.1%
Non-Hispanic Black or African American: 21.4%
Hispanic or Latino: 20.7%
Non-Hispanic White: 23.9%
Non-Hispanic American Indian or Alaska Native: 26.6%
Non-Hispanic mixed/multiracial: 34.9%
Lesbian, Gay or Bisexual: 50.2%
Mental Illness Causes
There are no single causes for . Multiple mental illnesses can occur at the same time and at random. They can also last for a short or long period of time.
Your mental health can change at any point. Some risk factors that can play a role in developing mental illness include:
Use of alcohol or drugs
Feeling lonely or isolated
Biological factors or chemical imbalances in the brain
Adverse childhood experiences, like child abuse or sexual assault
Experiences tied to ongoing medical conditions, like cancer or diabetes
Symptoms of Mental Illness Most of the same mental illnesses can develop in both men and women. However, women may have more distinct symptoms.
Some common symptoms can include:
Pulling away from people and usual activities
Appetite or weight changes
Ongoing sadness or feelings of hopelessness
Intense changes in eating or sleeping habits
Clear changes in mood, energy level, or appetite
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