YOU! HAVE THE POWER | Protecting mental health in BIPOC communities

BY DR. ELLEN BROWN

Have you ever come across Bebe Moore Campbell National Minority Mental Health Awareness Month? During regular searches for engaging topics, I came upon this important observance. You may already be familiar with it, or it could be a lesser-known fact. Regardless, I found it intriguing and immediately delved into learning more about this month — named in honor of the late African-American author, journalist, and teacher who worked tirelessly as an mental health advocate and wrote three bestsellers on the topic. 

As for the “minority” population taking front and center, it suggests that the discussion revolves around issues and challenges that disproportionately affect people of color. This is true, but the research of National Alliance on Mental Illness shows it is more complex than singling out specific groups of people by ethnicity, gender, or socioeconomic factors. 

Bebe Moore Campbell passed away in 2006 at the age of 56. She was known as a literary trailblazer whose fiction writing topics often focused on the impact of mental health, racism, culture, and community. One of her first publications was written in 1992, “Your Blues Ain’t Like Mine” — and another, “72 Hour Hold,” came in 1995. These novels are examples of her compelling messages, which told stories of modern-day life in settings that portray the continuing stress and pain that has sometimes defined Black life in America. 

Why is this important? One research study suggests that “the adult Black community is 20% more likely to experience mental health problems.” 

A search for Black psychiatrists and mental health professionals in Las Vegas resulted in a significant number of men and women educated, prepared, and available to serve our community. If ever there was a time to seek and find help, it is now. Here are a few resources: 

Black and African American Psychiatrists in Las Vegas: https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/psychiatrists/nv/las-vegas?category=african-american 

NAMI works to educate, support, advocate, listen and lead to improve the lives of people with mental illness and their loved ones: https://www.nami.org/about-mental-illness/warning-signs-and-symptoms/ 

Call the NAMI HelpLine at (800) 950-6264, text “helpline” to 62640, or chat online. In a crisis, call or text 988.

Let’s continue this conversation by using YOUR! POWER! Email: Ebrown.nci@gmail.com | (702) 491-0490