The Mississippi Department of Mental Health (DMH) in conjunction with NAMI-MS, MS Families As Allies for Children’s Mental Health, and Catholic Charities is celebrating Bebe Moore Campbell National Minority Mental Health Awareness Month in July to raise awareness about severe mental illness in diverse communities.
A National Minority Mental Health awareness event will be held on Friday, July 15, at 9:30 am -12 noon at the Central High School Auditorium in Jackson. Professionals will be available to provide mental health information on diverse communities. The free event will also include entertainment and door prizes.
In 2008, the U.S. House of Representatives designated July as Bebe Moore Campbell National Minority Mental Health Awareness Month. Campbell, who died in 2006, was a leading African American journalist and novelist, and a national spokesperson for individuals and families affected by mental illness.
“To improve mental health care for all, we must eliminate disparities that exist in our diverse communities,” said Albertstein Johnson-Pickett, Cultural and Linguistic Coordinator for MTOP grant.
“Our goal is to educate people about mental illness, treatment and research, and eliminate stigma. All people deserve access to quality mental health services.”
Mental illness affects one in four American families and people in diverse communities are no exception. The U.S. Surgeon General reports that minorities:
• are less likely to receive diagnosis and treatment for their mental illness
• have less access to and availability of mental health services
• often receive a poorer quality of mental health care
• are underrepresented in mental health research
For additional information about National Minority Mental Health Awareness Month contact the MS Department of Mental Health at 601-359-1288.
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