About BIPOC Mental Health Month

Formally recognized in June 2008 (and currently designated as), Bebe Moore Campbell National Minority Mental Health Awareness Month was created to bring awareness to the unique struggles that underrepresented groups face in regard to mental illness in the US. Bebe Moore Campbell was an American author, journalist, teacher, and mental health advocate who worked tirelessly to shed light on the mental health needs of the Black community and other underrepresented communities.

To continue the visionary work of Bebe Moore Campbell, each year Mental Health America (MHA) develops resources dedicated to addressing and supporting the mental health needs of Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC).

2025 BIPOC Mental Health Toolkit

MHA’s 2025 BIPOC Mental Health Toolkit was designed to help individuals and organizations in communities of color turn awareness into action. Whether you’re looking for ways to feel better or do better, you’ll find resources that support action in three key areas: take care of yourself, find and take care of your community, and advocate.

To view additional resources and the full BIPOC Mental Health Month Toolkit, visit here.

To order printed copies of the 2025 BIPOC Mental Health Month toolkit, email joni@mhaky.org.

2024 BIPOC Mental Health Toolkit

In this 2024 BIPOC Mental Health Toolkit in commemoration of Bebe Moore Campbell National Minority Health Awareness Month, you will find a wide range of resources to help you and members of your community recognize the unique challenges faced by BIPOC individuals – along with tools to help break down those barriers and foster constructive dialogue around mental well-being. These include a cross-generational conversation guide; myth-busting some common cultural stereotypes related to BIPOC mental health; and a worksheet to help communities cope when they are under attack, just to name a few. We hope you find this toolkit useful and affirming in its reflection of the strength and example of BIPOC and minoritized communities as well as a reflection of the remaining barriers to equity that we must confront. Beyond BIPOC Mental Health Month, we work to advance all that Bebe Moore Campbell stood for in her work and in her character. Please stay tuned for more information about upcoming webinars and other cutting edge related programs.

To order printed copies of the 2024 BIPOC Mental Health Month toolkit, email joni@mhaky.org.

2023 BIPOC Mental Health Toolkit

The theme of Mental Health America’s 2023 BIPOC Mental Health campaign is Culture, Community, & Connection. Our lives are deeply intertwined with our environments, and these surroundings impact our mental health and overall wellness. Black, Indigenous, and people of color (BIPOC) populations are faced with disproportionate amounts of historical trauma and displacement that can challenge their ability to thrive in their environments. However, culture, community, and connection are pillars that support and uplift BIPOC individuals in the face of oppression and systemic racism.

Click here to order printed copies of “Culture, Community, & Connection” materials.

2022 BIPOC Mental Health Toolkit

Mental Health America recognizes that Black, Indigenous, and people of color have rich histories that go #BeyondTheNumbers. While there are stories of resilience born out of oppression, persecution, and abuse, there is immeasurable strength in each of these cultures. In an increasingly diversified America, we acknowledge the specificity of individual and group experiences and how it relates to their beliefs and well-being. BIPOC communities are significantly more likely to develop mental health conditions, and one of the major barriers to mental health treatment is access and the need for understanding mental health support. #BeyondTheNumbers explores the nuances and uniqueness in BIPOC communities.

This year’s theme for BIPOC Mental Health Month is #BeyondTheNumbers. Join us and together, we will gain knowledge on historical context, systems of support, and actionable ways to move forward toward a mentally healthy future.

Click here to order printed copies of “Beyond The Numbers” materials.

2020 BIPOC Mental Health toolkit

Who was Bebe Moore Campbell? by MHA National
Racial Trauma: Facts and Information by MHA National
Systemic racism can leave black people suffering from symptoms similar to PTSD from Courier Journal
KY psychologists: Cumulative racism leads to racial trauma, similar to PTSD. from Herald Leader
Healing Themselves and the Community: What 4 Black Therapists Say About Racial Trauma from Courier Journal
Pandemic, Racism Compound Worries about Black suicide rate from Herald Leader
For Some Black Americans, Therapy is Losing its Stigma from Wall Street Journal
COVID-19’s Adverse Impact on Mental Health Access for People of Color from Bipartisan Policy Center
Take A Stand On Racial Injustice: Perspectives From Mental Health Experts In Advocacy And Psychiatric Health Care from PsychU
Live Discussion of Indigenous Two Spirit and LGBT+ Community Mental Health from MHA National
10 Ways White Therapists Can Address Racism in Therapy With Black Clients from ZenCare
12 Ways White Therapists Can (and Should) Use Their Privilege to Help People of Color from TherapyDen
Reading the Rainbow of Mental Health from MHA National
A Black, Christian’s Journey to Mental Wellness from MHA National
Faith, Spirituality and a Connection to Mental Health from MHA National
History of Systemic Racism in the US from MHA National
How to Combat the Mental Health Toll of Racism from PBS Newshour
“Racism in mental healthcare: An invisible barrier” fromMedical News Today
Structural racism is why I’m leaving organized psychiatry from STAT
Black Americans on Mental Health, Trauma and Resilience from STAT
This is What Racial Trauma Does to the Body and Brain from HuffPost
(Re) Defining Resilience: A Perspective Of ‘Toughness’ In BIPOC Communities from MHA National
Black Americans experience deadly stress as a pandemic and violent racism collide, experts say from NBC News
Protective Factors for Healing from Trauma in BIPOC Communities from MHA National
Police are the First to Respond to Mental Health Crises; They Shouldn’t Be from VICE News
What You’ll Never Understand About Being Biracial by Marie Claire
Americanizing Asians: The Mental Toll of Being Asked to Change Your Name from NBC News
Why Silence Weighs Heavily On The Mental Health Of Marginalized Communities from MHA National
The effects of COVID-19 on the mental health of Indigenous communities from Medical News Today
Racism Deniers Make It Harder To Do This Incredible, Exhausting Work from MHA National
Post-Traumatic Blackness Disorder from The Root

Culture, Community, & Connection

BIPOC Mental Health Month

Each July, we honor the legacy of author, advocate, and trailblazer Bebe Moore Campbell by recognizing Bebe Moore Campbell National Minority Mental Health Awareness Month (also referred to as BIPOC Mental Health Month). Moore Campbell’s ability to tell impactful stories highlighting themes of racism, mental health, and family left a lasting mark on this world and is a foundation for much of the work that continues in support of Black, Indigenous, and people of color (BIPOC) mental health.

Culture, ethnicity, and race all play a large role in the way that each person experiences the world and in the types of mental health support they may need. MHA’s BIPOC Mental Health Month Toolkit offers a wealth of information and tools to bring light to the unique experiences of BIPOC communities and empower and uplift BIPOC individuals on their mental health journeys.

Download the BIPOC Mental Health Month Toolkit in English and Spanish here.

Contact Us

Want More Information?

Mental Illnesses are brain-based conditions that affect thinking, emotions, and behaviors. Since we all have brains – having some kind of mental health problem during your life is really common. No matter what kind of mental health problem someone is facing, it is always possible to get better. If you think you’re experiencing a mental illness, try to find any kind of support earlier than later. Like other illness, treating mental illnesses early can help you get better faster.

We welcome the opportunity to assist you! We are available via phone, text, and email most weekdays. Please call 859.684.7778 or email mhaky@mhaky.org if you have urgent questions that are not covered here at this time!