What You Should Know About Minority Mental Health: Struggles, Symptoms, and the Power of Healing
- Melony Hill
- 6 days ago
- 4 min read
July is Minority Mental Health Awareness Month, founded in honor of author and mental health advocate Bebe Moore Campbell. This month isn’t just a time for awareness—it’s a call to action. It’s a reminder that communities of color face unique challenges when it comes to mental health, and those struggles deserve acknowledgment, compassion, and culturally affirming support.
I love this month; as a child who clearly struggled with mental illness in the 80's and 90's, My problems were kept secret. I was labeled a liar and people were told to ignore My cries for help. The reality of My life being hidden from anyone who could help Me couldn't have helped with the mental and emotional challenges I was already struggling with.
Even when My mother was forced to put a 7-year old Me in therapy, My truths were labeled lies. The adults tended to believe each other back then. Today, I'm diagnosed with a variety of mental health diagnosis's, but, the one that I think about most often is dissociative identity disorder. It's hard, even after being diagnosed, for Me to accept that My min had to split into separate people for Me to survive. Even harder to accept, is that some of these alters, as they've often called, are still with Me to this day.
Growing up, therapy was such a bad word that when I snuck to see a therapist in My teens, My mother had no clue. I knew that I needed a safe space; I needed someone to talk to. Today, therapy isn't such a dirty word, yet, there are many stigmas still attached to the thought of seeing a therapist. Luckily, people seem to have a better understanding somewhat, of mental health and illness. Mental and emotional illnesses such as depression, social anxiety, and ptsd are talked about more openly, even if they aren't fully understood.
Here’s what everyone should know about mental health in Black, Indigenous, Latinx, Asian, and other marginalized communities:
1. Mental Health Is Impacted by Systemic Injustice
Racism, poverty, community violence, and generational trauma aren’t just social issues—they’re mental health issues. Living in survival mode day after day takes a toll on the mind and body. Chronic stress, exposure to discrimination, and lack of access to safe environments can all contribute to anxiety, depression, and other mental health concerns.
I was literally just explaining this to a friend before I started writing this blog. I'm coming out of a season of transition where I feel like I've been in survival for the past 6 months. :Luckily, I noticed I was more than overwhelmed, I was struggling. I've been back in therapy for nearly 3 months now.
2. Symptoms Don’t Always Look the Same
Mental health symptoms are often misunderstood in BIPOC communities. What looks like "laziness" could be depression. What seems like "anger issues" may be PTSD. In some cultures, mental distress shows up as physical symptoms—like chronic pain, fatigue, or stomach problems—making it harder to recognize or treat.
This alone, has kept so many people from seeking or receiving help.
3. Stigma Keeps Many Silent
In many cultures, seeking therapy is seen as weakness, failure, or something "crazy people" do. Generations have been taught to "pray it away" or "just push through." The result? Suffering in silence. We must normalize emotional expression, especially for men and elders, and teach that vulnerability is not a flaw—it’s a pathway to freedom.
If you follow Me, you already know how I feel about the secrets we hold that affect our mental health. End "what happens in this house, stays in this house."
4. Access to Quality Care Is Still a Major Barrier
Even when someone is ready to seek help, they often face:
A lack of therapists who understand their culture or lived experience.
Language barriers and limited insurance options.
Long waitlists or no services in their area at all.
This is why culturally competent, community-based mental health care is so essential.
5. Representation in Mental Health Care Saves Lives
When we see ourselves reflected in our healers, we’re more likely to trust the process. Black and Brown therapists understand the weight of racism, family pressure, and intergenerational trauma in ways that others may not. Representation isn’t just a buzzword—it’s a bridge to healing.
This year is My first time having a therapist that looks like Me. I can attest that while not all look like us, some of other nationalities understand and relate to our unique struggles quite well. However, I'm enjoying having not only My first male, but Black male, therapist.
6. Healing Is Possible, and It Looks Different for Everyone
Healing doesn’t always start in a therapist’s office. It can begin in a journal, a trusted circle, a barbershop, or a prayer. It can be found in breathwork, movement, storytelling, or ancestral practices. What matters is finding what works for you and honoring your journey.
Mental health is no different than physical health for all of us. If you are part of a minority community, your struggles are real, your pain is valid, and your healing is possible. If you’re supporting someone from these communities, educate yourself, listen with empathy, and advocate for equity in care.
Let’s talk about it in the comments. Let’s normalize these conversations. Let’s heal, together.
If you or someone you love is struggling with their mental health, you can reach out to the organizations below:
. NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Illness)
Website: nami.org
What they offer: Peer support groups, education programs, advocacy, crisis help, local chapter events, and a free helpline.
2. Mental Health America (MHA)
Website: mhanational.org
What they offer: Mental health screening tools, education, advocacy efforts, and resources for underserved communities.
3. The Trevor Project
Website: thetrevorproject.org
What they offer: Crisis intervention and suicide prevention for LGBTQ+ youth, 24/7 support via phone, text, and chat.
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