310-601-9999

Awareness

8 ways to support #ShadesofMentalHealth, July is Minority Mental Health Awareness Month

by
minority mental health

By  Janel Teʻo, M.A., Ashley Barnes, M.S., Dominique Hall What is Bebe Moore Campbell Minority Mental Health Awareness Month? Celebrating Minority Mental Health Awareness Month can ensure anti-discrimination in mental health care for all individuals. Anyone should be able to seek help without hardships and fear of judgment, regardless of their cultural and social background. By raising awareness, we can provide an inclusive mental health space that supports diverse experiences and well-being for everyone.  Everyone deserves culturally competent mental health care that acknowledges and respects the intersection of their identity and experiences. #ShadesofMentalHealth Bebe Moore Campbell Minority Mental Health Awareness Month was first recognized and nationally declared in July of 2008. This was sponsored by Rep. Albert Wynn and cosponsored by a large bipartisan group.  Bebe Moore Campbell was a Black American author, journalist, teacher, and mental health advocate. She used her voice to address the profound impact of racism, …

Read more

Social Media and Mental Health Concerns in 2024

by
Medically reviewed by Dr. Mark Hrymoc, M.D.
minority mental health

By Ashley Barnes, M.S. Social Media Social media is a form of internet-based communication that allows people to create, share, and exchange information and ideas in virtual communities and networks. It can include text, visuals, personal messages, and other content, such as videos. Social media often features user-generated content that encourages engagement through likes, shares, comments, and discussion. Uses for social media include: Connecting with others: People can use social media to build relationships, have conversations, and connect with their audience. Sharing Information: People can use social media to share ideas, personal messages, and other content. Marketing: Brands and creators can use social media marketing to sell products or services, connect with their audience, and build their brand. Creating Content: People can use social media to create web content, such as blogs and podcast Some popular social media platforms include: TikTok Facebook Instagram Snapchat YouTube While social media can be …

Read more

World Elder Abuse Awareness Day 2024

by
minority mental health

By Ashley Barnes, M.S. What is World Elder Abuse Awareness Day? Each year on June 15th, World Elder Abuse Awareness Day is observed to spread awareness of elder abuse and neglect with efforts to prevent it. A major goal of World Elder Abuse Day is to provide education pertaining to the social, cultural, demographic, and economic situations that impact elder abuse and neglect.  Elder abuse. An elder is anyone age 65 or older and elder abuse describes any intentional act or failure to act that causes a risk of harm to an older adult (CDC, 2024). A sad truth about elder abuse and neglect is that it often occurs at the hands of a caregiver or person the elder trusts. Elder abuse is a serious problem in the United States with about 1 in 10 older adults over the age of 60 having experienced some form of it (CDC, 2024).  …

Read more

Maternal Mental Health Month 2024

by
minority mental health

By Ashley Barnes, M.S. Maternal Mental Health Month 2024 May is Maternal Mental Health Month, a national observance started by Mental Health America to bring attention to the mental health challenges that many mothers face. Mental Health America emphasizes that “new and expecting mothers face not only changes to their lifestyles, but also changes to their bodies and hormones. Each woman’s experience will be different. For some, accommodating the changes of pregnancy and having a baby may come easily – they will adopt new routines and their bodies will return to pre-pregnancy shape and chemistry with little difficulty. For others, there may be physical and mental health struggles that arise.” Maternal Mental Health Maternal mental health disorders typically occur in what is called the perinatal period, which includes the prenatal period, or time that a woman is pregnant. Additionally, mental health disorders often occur in the postpartum period, which is …

Read more

National Mental Health Awareness Month 2024

by
minority mental health

By Ashley Barnes, M.S. Mental Health Awareness Month 2024 May is Mental Health Awareness Month, a national observance that started all the way back in 1949 by Mental Health America to bring attention to the crucial nature of mental wellbeing. Across the United States, people and organizations raise awareness about the importance of mental health as well as mental health challenges that people face. About Mental Health According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, mental health “includes our emotional, psychological, and social well-being. It affects how we think, feel, and act. It also helps determine how we handle stress, relate to others, and make healthy choices. Mental health is important at every stage of life, from childhood and adolescence through adulthood” (2024).  Mental health can be compromised by biological, genetic, or environmental factors – or a combination of all three. For example, if someone is genetically predisposed to …

Read more