Bebe Moore Campbell National Minority Mental Health Awareness Month
July is Bebe Moore Campbell National Minority Mental Health Awareness Month not by an act of Congress but by the will of the People. Bebe Moore Campbell was an American author, journalist and teacher. She wrote several critically acclaimed novels that explored the impact of racism on individuals and their relationships. Her works include the New York Times bestsellers “Brothers and Sisters” and “What You Owe Me”. Campbell was also a mental health advocate and wrote several children’s books, “The 72-Hour Hold”, “Sometimes My Mommy Gets Angry” and “I Get So Hungry,” about a children coping with a mentally illness.
Campbell also founded NAMI-Inglewood to address the lack of support for people of color with mental illness. Stigma surrounding mental illness discourages people from seeking help, and Campbell recognized that this stigma is even stronger for minorities. NAMI-Inglewood provided a safe space for Black people to discuss mental health concerns without fear of further discrimination.
“Once my loved ones accepted the diagnosis, healing began for the entire family, but it took too long. It took years. Can’t we, as a nation, begin to speed up that process? We need a national campaign to destigmatize mental illness, especially one targeted toward African Americans. It’s not shameful to have a mental illness. Get treatment. Recovery is possible.”
– Bebe Moore Campbell, 2005
While Campbell passed away in 2006 we should still remember legacy which will hopefully inspire others. Together maybe we can create a future where mental illness is not a stigma.