Minority Mental Health Awareness Month
July is Minority Mental Health Awareness Month, an opportunity to focus attention on the value of mental health, and disparities in both care and treatment. The issue of mental health has grown more critical in light of the COVID-19 pandemic and isolation caused by school closures and the need to social distance.
According to the U.S. Department Health and Human Services Office of Minority Health:
- In 2017, 10.5% (3.5 million) of young adults age 18 to 25 had serious thoughts of suicide including 8.3% of non-Hispanic blacks and 9.2% of Hispanics.
- In 2017, 7.5% (2.5 million) of young adults age 18 to 25 had a serious mental illness including 7.6% of non-Hispanic Asians, 5.7% of Hispanics and 4.6% of non-Hispanic blacks.
- Feelings of anxiety and other signs of stress may become more pronounced during a global pandemic.
- People in some racial and ethnic minority groups may respond more strongly to the stress of a pandemic or crisis.
The following are resources for information and support:
The Office of Minority Health, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
National Alliance on Mental Health (NAMI)
National Network to Eliminate Disparities in Behavioral Health
The National Child Traumatic Stress Network
The district has also compiled a list of social-emotional resources for students, families, and staff.