ARLINGTON, Va., June 30,
2023 /PRNewswire/ -- This July, the National Alliance
on Mental Illness (NAMI) honors the legacy of Bebe Moore Campbell, a trailblazer who tore down
barriers to mental health care in underserved communities. Her work
crossed boundaries of race, ethnicity and identity, helping to
destigmatize people who seek mental health care.
The U.S. House of Representatives in 2008 designated July as
"Bebe Moore Campbell National Minority Mental Health Awareness
Month" in recognition of Campbell's endless drive to create
positive change in communities of color. NAMI is celebrating and
building on her impact all month with special programs and
resources.
A Legacy of Humanity
Campbell recognized that mental
health affects us all — and everyone should have the right to be
heard and healed without shame or judgment. She worked to create
safe spaces for people in communities of color to connect with
others who share similar experiences and cultural backgrounds.
These safe spaces provided a gateway to vital mental health
resources and support networks.
"By emphasizing our shared humanity, we hope to shift attitudes
toward empathy and compassion, regardless of race, culture or
identity," said NAMI CEO Daniel H. Gillison
Jr. "We want everyone, especially the most vulnerable, to
know that reaching out for help is a sign of strength, not
weakness.
"This July and beyond, we're not only honoring Bebe Moore Campbell's legacy, but we're also
working to empower, uplift and elevate historically
underrepresented communities in their mental health journeys, while
eradicating stigma."
Culturally Relevant Mental Health Resources: A Beacon of
Hope
NAMI is building on Campbell's work with culturally
relevant mental health resources and providing support and
education programs tailored to different cultures, languages and
identities.
NAMI Sharing Hope and NAMI Compartiendo Esperanza are
presentations created for Black/African Ancestry and Latino
communities to safely explore conversations on mental health. Both
are designed to promote mental health awareness, explore signs and
symptoms of mental health conditions, and highlight how and where
to find help.
A new page on NAMI's website features ways to join the
conversation, including resources and shareable content that
celebrate #ShadesOfMentalHealth.
Amplifying Voices with "Strength Over Silence"
Docuseries
"Strength Over Silence: Stories of Courage,
Culture and Community" is a NAMI docuseries that highlights mental
health perspectives of people across different backgrounds and
communities. Through candid and courageous stories of lived
experience, these mental health champions share their resilience
and recovery, emphasizing the importance of culture and identity in
the mental health movement.
Through these initiatives, NAMI is working to increase
community-based engagement, offer mental health information, share
resources and insights from people with lived experience, and
increase access to culturally appropriate support.
If you or someone you love needs help, contact the NAMI
HelpLine, Monday–Friday from 10 a.m.–10 p.m. Eastern Time. Call
1-800-950-6264, text "HelpLine" to 62640, visit and chat online at
nami.org/help, or email helpline@nami.org.
The NAMI HelpLine is a free, nationwide resource staffed by
trained peer-support specialists to answer questions, listen and
offer support. They can provide practical next steps, as well as
help identify the best local resource options for your individual
concerns.
The National Alliance on Mental Illness is the nation's
largest grassroots mental health advocacy organization dedicated to
improving the lives of individuals and families affected by mental
illness.
Join the conversation at
Facebook.com/nami | Instagram.com/namicommunicate |
Twitter.com/namicommunicate | TikTok.com/@nami |
LinkedIn.com/company/nami | YouTube.com/NAMIvideo
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SOURCE National Alliance on Mental Illness