Mental Health Awareness in July

By Gwendolyn Carole Tipton In 2008, the U.S. House of Representatives designated July as Bebe Moore Campbell National Minority Mental Health Awareness Month. So, it’s an excellent time to communicate about mental health. Campbell was an author, advocate, and cofounder of the National Alliance of Mental Illness. This designation of July aimed to bring awareness to the unique challenges that racial and ethnic minorities in the United States face when it comes to mental illness. Unfortunately, less than 50% of African American adults with mental illness receive any treatment because they tend to encounter negative experiences when seeking help. People of color who experience racial traumas are more likely to have some mental stress. As adults, they pass these stresses on to the next generation. Some can trace the roots of mental health stigma back to long-lasting sadness and social drama in their living environments. Spirituality can have a positive impact on our emotional well-being. When we pray for wisdom and comfort, we fully believe the Lord will hear and deliver us from our troubles. When we meditate, seeking guidance, we expect to receive a path to overcome disorders related to mental health. Such disorders may include mood swings, excessive...