Journalist Bebe Moore Campbell used her voice and personal story to build awareness of the challenges that Black Americans and other underrepresented groups face in supporting their mental health. She called attention to the mental health stigma felt by people “who already feel stigmatized by virtue of our race” and to their distrust of the medical establishment based on a history of misdiagnosis and overmedication.
Campbell urged Black Americans and all people of color to seek help for mental health challenges and to push for better diagnosis and treatment. She also urged Congress to take action. In 2008, two years after her death, Congress passed a resolution to improve access to mental health care. The resolution also established Bebe Moore Campbell National Minority Mental Health Awareness Month to be observed in July.
Mental health disparities and inequities persist
Despite these efforts, Black and other minority communities continue to face mental health disparities and inequities. African Americans are 20% more likely to experience psychological distress than White people, for example, but they’re half as likely to get mental health treatment. Stigma, fear of judgment, and a shortage of Black mental health professionals are significant barriers to care, among other factors.
According to Mental Health America, experiencing or observing frequent acts of discrimination puts people at risk for depression and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). What’s more, sustained levels of elevated stress hormones are associated with high blood pressure, heart disease, and mental health conditions such as anxiety and depression.
Culturally relevant resources on Calm and Calm Health
In support of Bebe Moore Campbell National Minority Mental Health Awareness Month, we’re sharing a selection of culturally relevant resources on Calm and Calm Health to support the mental well-being of minority communities. We encourage you to explore these programs featuring mental health and mindfulness experts, artists, authors, and athletes who identify as members Black and other underrepresented minority groups.
Unless otherwise specified, all programs are available on both the Calm Health platform and the Calm app.
Clinical Programs*
- Hypertension & Health for Your Black Wellness is a stress-management program designed to foster emotional well-being among African Americans with hypertension through evidence-based practices and culturally relevant exercises.
Developed by clinical psychologist Dr. Tiffany G. Townsend and narrated by actress and voice-over artist Jameelah McMillan, the Calm Health program uses proven, research-backed strategies that may help listeners reduce stress, refocus their thoughts, and lead a healthy, meaningful life.
Wisdom
- Black Self-Worth at Work with Dr. Rheeda, Dr. Rheeda Walker
This wisdom series is designed to equip Black employees with strategies to thrive in the face of microaggressions, exclusion, and other forms of racism.
A licensed clinical psychologist, tenured professor, researcher, and author, Dr. Rheeda Walker has dedicated nearly two decades to advancing the mental and emotional health of African Americans through empowerment. - Train Your Mind, Volume I, LeBron James
In this wisdom series, four-time NBA champion and MVP LeBron James opens up his playbook for mental fitness for the very first time. - Breathe Into It, Camila Cabello
Global superstar Camila Cabello’s ride to success hasn’t always been smooth. In her exclusive wisdom series Breathe Into It, she helps you reduce stress and anxiety through never-before-told stories.
Meditation
- Working with Thoughts, Chibs OkerekeIn this three-minute meditation, stress and burnout specialist Chibs Okereke uses practical, scientifically validated mindset tools to help listeners shift perspective on their thoughts. Okereke is a stress and burnout specialist, Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) facilitator, former company founder, and reformed striver. He provides practical tools to help organizations, teams and individuals reduce stress and prevent burnout.
- The Body for Rest, Dr. Eric Lopez Maya
In this 45-minute mindfulness session, psychologist Eric Lopez Maya guides listeners to relax into deep rest with a compassionate body awareness practice.
Eric López Maya, Ph.D., is founder and director of the Mexican Institute for Mindfulness and a certified teacher-trainer in Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR). He’s passionate about bringing MBSR to multicultural settings. In this meditation, he walks listeners through progressive muscle relaxation exercises to create a sense of ease.
Sleep
- The Art of Presence (Sleep Story), Colman Domingo
Colman Domingo lulls listeners to sleep with a soothing tale of artistic discovery, where a young dreamer finds his true voice through a wise mentor and the surprising melodies of street music.
Colman Domingo is a two-time Oscar, BAFTA, and Tony Award-nominated actor, writer, director, and producer.
This National Minority Mental Health Awareness Month and beyond, employers can build on the work of Bebe Moore Campbell to break down barriers to mental healthcare, especially for historically underrepresented people. Consider taking a proactive approach to mental health and providing resources that align with the culture and identity of employees.
* available on the Calm Health platform only
