July is Minority Mental Health Awareness Month. Why MINORITY Mental Health Awareness Month?? It’s specifically dedicated to raising awareness about the unique mental health challenges faced by minorities. There are certain minority groups that face specific challenges. For example: 

• The highest suicide rates in the U.S. are in the Native American communities 

• Latino youth are MORE LIKELY to attempt suicide 

• Asian Americans are LEAST LIKELY to seek mental health services 

• LGBTQIA+ individuals experience SIGNIFICANTLY HIGHER RATES of mental health conditions & suicide attempts than their heterosexual peers. 

The goal is to destigmatize mental illness and improve access to mental health services for these communities. The BEAM organization seeks to do that. They are The Black Emotional and Mental Health Collective. It is a national 501 c3 organization that trains, funds, holds healing space, and provides resources made up of an international network of therapists, wellness practitioners, and others to support the well-being and mental health of our most marginalized communities.

Guests:

Yolo Akili Robinson, Executive Director

Natalie Robinson, Director of Trainings & Programs

BEAM