As we wrap up the month of July, we want to highlight it being Minority Mental Health Awareness Month. It was inspired by the author Bebe Moore Campbell, who co-founded NAMI Urban Los Angeles. That’s the National Alliance on Mental Illness. She was a national change agent who worked to revolutionize the way we approach mental health in underserved communities.

According to the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI),

• 1 out of 5 adults in the U.S. experience mental illness
• Half of all lifetime mental illness begins early, by age 14

Let’s talk about mental health and the Black experience. The Health & Human Services Office of Minority Health says Black adults in the U.S. are MORE LIKELY than white adults to report feeling emotional distress, sad. But according to the American Psychiatric Association, only 1 in 3 Black adults with mental illness get treatment. 

Join us for today’s episode on Minority Mental Health Awareness Month – Let’s Talk.

GUESTS – 

Jaren Doby – Therapist with Novant Health, 16 years of experience in the field of mental health . Received formal training from UNC-Greensboro.

Monica Stevenson – Educator/Mental Health professional with SolePurpose of the Carolinas.  She has 30 years in the business and is a graduate of Fisk, Duquesne and Queens Universities.

Stephon Portlock, a youth therapist from Echelon Care provides specialized treatment for at-risk youth and their families. 

IMPORTANT NUMBERS

For mental health emergencies text #988

Hotline 800-950-6264