Writer: Ruby (Ruiran Chen)
Many people in racial and ethnic minority communities grow up navigating multiple cultures, building their identity in complex environments, and carrying experiences that others may not fully understand. These unique challenges can deeply affect mental health, yet they are often overlooked.
At the Women’s Center of Greater Lansing (WCGL), we care about the well-being of minority communities. This July, during National Minority Mental Health Awareness Month, we want to raise awareness, reduce stigma, and build a more supportive community together.
Remember: you are not alone, and you deserve to be cared for.
Origins
National Minority Mental Health Awareness Month is observed every July. It is officially named the Bebe Moore Campbell National Minority Mental Health Awareness Month, and is also widely referred to as BIPOC Mental Health Month.
The month is named in honor of Bebe Moore Campbell, co-founder of NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Illness), and a dedicated author, teacher, and mental health advocate. She spent years raising awareness about the importance of mental health care in minority and low-income communities, until her passing from cancer in 2006. In 2008, inspired by her legacy, the U.S. House of Representatives officially designated July as BIPOC Mental Health Month (National Alliance on Mental Illness, 2026).
Understanding the Barriers
Mental health influences how we handle stress, make decisions, and move through our daily lives. When we are doing well mentally, we are better able to care for ourselves and others. When we are not, it can affect our physical health, our relationships, and our overall sense of self.
Yet for many people in minority communities, getting mental health support is not easy. According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of Minority Health (2026), minority populations are significantly less likely to receive mental health treatment compared to the general population. This gap is not a coincidence. Many minority individuals face language barriers and cultural misunderstandings that make it harder to find care that truly fits their needs. On top of that, stigma remains one of the biggest obstacles. Because in many cultural contexts, talking about mental health is still seen as a sign of weakness, which means people often suffer in silence rather than reaching out for help.
What You Can Do This Month
- Check in on the minority friends and family members in your life. A kind word or a small gesture of care can make a bigger difference than you might think.
- Talk about mental health without stigma. Remind yourself and others that seeking help is not a sign of weakness. It is a sign of strength and self-awareness.
- Share mental health resources with your community. Whether it is through social media, a text message, or a conversation, spreading information can help someone find the support they need.
- Get involved. Attend a community event, volunteer with a local organization, or simply show up for the people around you.
- Take care of your own mental health too. Checking in with yourself is just as important as checking in on others.
How WCGL Supports You
This National Minority Mental Health Awareness Month, we want to remind you that you are not alone.
At the Women’s Center of Greater Lansing, we are committed to supporting the mental health and well-being of all women and gender-diverse people. We provide individual counseling, support groups, and career readiness services, because we believe that every woman, regardless of her background, deserves access to mental health care and a space where she feels truly supported. We are also committed to advocating for racial justice and systemic change, because we know that true mental health equity requires more than individual support.
If you or someone you know needs support, we are always here for you.
Our website: https://lansingwomen.org/
More Local resources
If you or someone you know is struggling, help is also available locally:
Community Mental Health Authority of Clinton, Eaton, and Ingham Counties (CMHA-CEI)
CMHA-CEI provides a comprehensive set of services used to increase access to care, support people in crisis, and provide treatment for those with the most serious and complex behavioral health needs regardless of their insurance coverage. CCBHC’s integrate additional services that focus on recovery, wellness, trauma-informed care, and physical-behavioral health care integration.
Website: ceicmh.org
Toll Free: (800) 372-8460
Local:(517) 346-8460
Wild Ferns Wellness
Wild Ferns Wellness is one of Michigan’s first wellness collaboratives based in Lansing to center and support the holistic needs of Women, Black, Indigenous and People of Color (BI-POC) as well as LGBTQIA2S+ folks and allies. Wild Ferns Wellness Center provides an affirming and safe space to those who enter.
Website: https://wildfernswellness.com/
Tel: (517) 798-6745
Justice in Mental Health Organization (JIMHO)
JIMHO is a Michigan-based peer-support nonprofit built on the belief that “everyone has value”. It runs three core programs: a Drop-in Center offering daily peer social support and support groups; Project STAY, which helps individuals stay in their communities and avoid psychiatric hospitalization through housing, income, education, and employment assistance; and Project DOORS, which trains and supports peer-run organizations across Michigan.
Website: https://jimho.net/
Tel: (517) 371-4661
(517) 371-2794
References
National Alliance on Mental Illness. (2026). Bebe Moore Campbell National Minority Mental Health Awareness Month. https://www.nami.org/stay-connected/events/awareness-events/bebe-moore-campbell-national-minority-mental-health-awareness-month/
- S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Minority Health. (2026). Mental and behavioral health. https://minorityhealth.hhs.gov/mental-and-behavioral-health