Reflecting on Bebe Moore Campbell National Minority Mental Health Awareness Month

By Erlinda Delacruz

As a Filipina, I recognize the strength and resilience I see in my people. We have survived hundreds of years of colonization, multiple natural disasters, government corruption, and so much more. Yet we are still a people. We are still here. 

We are a people known for our hospitality, inclination to karaoke, and building community and warmth around food. Our history and the history of America, however, still have lasting impacts today. My kababayans (fellow Filipino/as) and those from other BIPOC communities face obstacles and additional stressors that increase our risk factors for experiencing distress or mental illness while also creating barriers to receiving treatment. 

July is Bebe Moore Campbell National Minority Mental Health Awareness Month, also known as BIPOC Mental Health Awareness Month. Moore Campbell was an author, journalist, teacher, and advocate who tried to help her daughter navigate the mental health system. She shined a light on the nuanced mental health challenges and stressors our communities face, as well as structural and historical disparities. By understanding and addressing those barriers, we can ensure that all people have the support they need to thrive. 

At The Jed Foundation (JED), we are dedicated to creating mental health initiatives that consider the inclusion and belonging of all communities while protecting emotional health and preventing suicide. 

Throughout our work, we champion cultural responsiveness, which is a cornerstone of effective mental health care. A therapist who understands a person’s cultural background can foster a sense of belonging, eliminating the need to constantly explain one’s culture. That can significantly enhance the therapeutic process. Acknowledging, reframing, and integrating within therapy the strengths of BIPOC communities — such as community cultural wealth — can also enhance mental health interventions and outcomes. As just one example, a culturally responsive therapist will understand the difficulties of being the ate (oldest sister) of an immigrant Filipino family without having me tell them what that means.

JED is part of Path Forward, a coalition of mental health organizations working to expand equitable access to high-quality mental health care systemwide. We know that creating a more inclusive and sustainable future in mental health care will require systemic changes in how we train and compensate clinicians, and how we connect clients to them. I’d like to offer a few suggestions for how to make that a reality.

We must invest in training and retaining more diverse clinicians. That is critical, because data has shown that only about 19% of the psychology workforce are People of Color, and only about 3% are Asian. With so few BIPOC practitioners available, the counselors are more likely to be in high demand and therefore less accessible. They may also suffer from compassion fatigue, racial battle fatigue, and burnout. To ease that burden, clinicians — even highly experienced ones — must be offered training in cultural responsiveness, as well as improved work conditions and competitive salaries so they don’t burn out from their roles. 

We must also remove financial barriers to accessing care by lowering copays and premiums and ensuring comprehensive insurance coverage for mental health and substance misuse treatment. Insurance companies should also ensure they have enough clinicians in their networks to meet demand, and, importantly, include clinicians who represent the diversity of the communities they serve.

Mental health platforms should be updated to help clients easily find suitable clinicians, and social services must be expanded to support individuals before they reach a crisis point. Finding the right therapist is a process akin to dating, and it may take time to find the right therapist and establish a trusting relationship. Systems must be designed with that in mind, and with continuous feedback from diverse communities to ensure solutions are relevant and effective.

As we advocate for our needs, we must remember to rest. Self-care can be dwarfed by feelings of being overwhelmed by pervasive systemic inequities and the pressures of carrying familial and communal responsibilities. It’s crucial to remember that taking time for oneself is necessary for overall well-being. Saying no or “not now, but later” can be powerful acts of self-preservation.

The JED Mental Health Resource Center offers valuable information on common emotional health issues and provides guidance for teens and young adults on supporting one another and managing life’s challenges.

As we reflect on BIPOC Mental Health Awareness Month and celebrate Bebe Moore Campbell, let us commit to advocating for inclusive mental health support and remembering to rest along the way.