This July, we celebrate BIPOC Mental Health Month. Also named Bebe Moore Campbell National Minority Mental Health Awareness Month in honor of the renowned teacher, author, advocate and journalist, BIPOC Mental Health Month recognizes the unique challenges faced by Black, Indigenous, and people of color when it comes to mental health, access to care, and stigmas surrounding treatment.
Finding Good
Alongside Mental Health America (MHA) and other organizations, Spurwink encourages Mainers of all backgrounds this month to “find good”—take time to notice and honor positive moments, recognize your own strengths, and share generational wisdom among your family and community.
- Use MHA’s Naming Your Strengths worksheet to explore the strengths you already have and learn how they can help you with your mental health.
- Learn how to hold on to what keeps you going with MHA’s Protecting Your Energy worksheet.
- Learn more about mental health challenges faced by different generations and how to share generational wisdom.
Caring for Your Community
Take time this July to check in with your community, including with young people who may see you as a mentor or role model. Think about the last time someone helped you truly feel heard. Lending a shoulder to cry on or simply listening to someone get things off their chest can go a long way.
You don’t need to have the perfect response when someone opens up to you about their mental health struggles. They just need to know that they’re not alone. If you’re not sure how to respond, try one of these examples from MHA’s printable guide:
- “That’s a lot hitting you at once.”
- “No wonder you’ve been stressed.”
- “You joke about it, but that sounds really hard.”
- “That kind of stress catches up with people.”
- “I’m glad you said something.”
You can then direct them to resources, including online screenings, treatment options (like therapy), or 988, the national crisis hotline, which is available 24/7.
Finding the Right Path for You
Taking care of yourself isn’t selfish. In fact, when you prioritize your own mental health, you become the best person you can be—better able to serve others in your community. If you’re experiencing a mental health crisis, help is available 24/7 by calling or texting 988.
It takes courage to reach out and ask for help. If you’re ready to start getting mental health support in Maine, connect with Spurwink by calling (207) 871-1200, emailing info@spurwink.org, or filling out or contact form. You can also search our database of mental health care providers to find who’s accepting new patients in your area.
BIPOC Mental Health in the U.S.: Facts and Statistics
We spread awareness of BIPOC Mental Health because of the disproportionate challenges many communities of color face in our country. For instance:
- Black adults with mental health conditions are less likely to receive treatmentthan white or multiracial adults.
- Black adults aged 18-25 have the highest prevalence of any mental health condition compared to other races.
- Individuals who immigrated from war-affected countries are at a higher risk of PTSDand diminished mental health.
- The suicide rate for Indigenous American and Alaskan Native individuals is higher than all other racial and ethnic groupsin the U.S.
- Indigenous American and Alaskan Native individuals report higher rates of post-traumatic stress disorder and alcohol dependencethan any other racial or ethnic group in the U.S.
- 43% of Black individuals and 47% of Hispanic individuals in the U.S. attempt to manage mental health challenges on their ownrather than seeing a therapist (compared to 35% of white individuals).
Culturally-affirming Therapy: What It Is, Why It’s Important
For many people from communities of color, their cultures, languages, and lived experiences are not reflected or represented in health care systems. This presents a barrier to starting therapy and other mental health treatments.
Talking to a stranger about your personal life might be heavily stigmatized in your community. Additionally, it can be difficult to find a provider who understands your cultural background and unique stressors.
Culturally-affirming or culturally-sensitive therapy is an approach to mental health care in which the provider actively integrates your cultural identity, lived experiences, and societal systems shaping your life into your treatment. Culturally-affirming therapists validate your background rather than treating it like a problem or asking you to educate them. At the same time, they recognize that no two individuals from one culture are the same.
When you’re looking for a therapist or other mental health care provider, know that it’s OK to ask questions about the therapist’s familiarity with your specific culture. You can then determine if the therapist’s goals and strategies align with your own. You should choose a therapist with whom you feel comfortable discussing personal experiences and concerns—not someone who opts for a one-size-fits-all approach.
To learn more about how therapy could benefit your mental health and well-being, tune in to MHA’s webinar on July 22—a panel conversation featuring BIPOC therapists.
About Spurwink
Spurwink responds to community needs by providing behavioral health care, substance use disorder services, and support services for people of all ages, abilities, and backgrounds and their families in Maine. We believe belonging is a fundamental human need—throughout your mental health journey, we foster an environment in which people are seen, heard, and know they matter. Get in touch today.
