Why BIPOC mental health empowerment is important and what you can do about it

Written By Rachel Ann

Did you know that July is BIPOC Mental Health Awareness Month? That means that during this month, more attention, resources, and education around supporting BIPOC mental health is happening. As a life coach specializing in working with BIPOC millennial women, I especially love this month! Yayyyyyyy!

Let’s talk about it

Many BIPOC communities don’t talk about mental health, but it’s getting better. Talking about our personal, deep inner lives is already difficult. For us BIPOC, it’s even more difficult when we see the generations before us getting misused or harmed when they’ve trusted someone who later on betrays them. For us children of immigrants, many of our parents didn’t have the luxury of time - to think, explore their feelings, and realize they needed support. And then there’s finances, where the cost is too high and the waitlist for affordable mental healthcare is too long. Not to mention, we also live in a world where those who have pride don’t ask for help, and seem perfect are the ones getting promotions and praise.

It’s hard y’all.

Because of systemic injustices, many of our ancestors survived and didn’t have the time, resources, or capacities to thrive. And since they teach us what they know, we continue the same cycle - not trusting health professionals, not learning coping mechanisms, and not believing that we have time to think and grow personally. This gets reinforced in our homes, contexts, and the world.

But, things are changing!

Now, we’re seeing community centers who offer culturally centered support. More BIPOC celebrities are vocalizing how important mental health is and even sharing their own personal struggles. More BIPOC teenagers are learning about coping strategies, mental health terminology, and seeking support in their schools. More BIPOC clinicians are arriving, and more educational centers are teaching on culturally relevant practices. More BIPOC are working to end generational trauma, be the change in their communities, and stand out for their dedication to healing, even if it raises auntie’s eyebrows or adds to the neighborhood gossip!

Because of this - because you’re here, reading more about holistic health, wondering what you can do to support yourself or others - we can have hope. Instead of passing down generational trauma, we’ll pass down generational wealth and coping skills. Instead of normalizing pride and stubbornness, we’ll normalize vulnerability, growth, and healing.

There’s a lot to look forward to because of you, your healing, and your dedication to making your life different. That’s empowering!

Let’s keep it going

The more we normalize mental health, something we all have and struggle with time to time, the more healing will happen and the less hardships we’ll experience. The more people know they’re not alone, the more they’ll speak up and seek support. And that’s how we keep destigmatizing mental health, receiving support, and vulnerability as a whole.

Take a few minutes to think about doing your part:

  • Can you share a helpful social media post with coping strategies?

  • Can you model vulnerability in your social groups?

  • Can you volunteer with your local mental health organization?

  • Can you donate to a community based organization?

It takes me, you, and whole lot of people to create the change. We’re doing it already y’all, so let’s keep it going!

Need more support? Lemme help you sis:

Rachel Ann
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