July is BIPOC Mental Health Awareness Month

Mental illness is one of the leading causes of disabilities in the United States, affecting one out of every five individuals in a given year, and can affect individuals of any race, religion, age or economic status.

Despite recent efforts to improve mental health services for Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC), barriers remain regarding access to quality of care, including stigma, distrust of the health care system, discrimination, lack of providers from diverse or ethnic backgrounds, and lack of culturally competent providers.

During this week’s City Council meeting, the Council adopted a resolution recognizing July 2020 as BIPOC Mental Health Awareness Month as a time to work together, challenge stigma, express compassion for those with mental illness, and elevate proven culturally and linguistically appropriate services.

The Council encourages all citizens, government agencies, public and private institutions, businesses, and schools to recommit to increasing awareness and understanding of mental illnesses in communities of color.