Where to get support this Minority Mental Health Awareness Month

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Recent findings from Mental Health America confirm that the United States is in a mental health crisis. Nearly 60 million adults experienced a mental illness in the last year, and more than 5% reported serious suicidal thoughts.

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The mental health of the country’s youth is also in worrying decline, with the suicide rate for those aged 10-24 up 56% in the last decade.

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Despite this epidemic being well-reported, the mental health of minorities is often overlooked and underserved, even though Native American and Alaskan Native adults are experiencing comparable rates of mental illness to national averages, more than 1 in 5 Latino adults report having a mental illness, and suicide rates for Black youth increased by 144% between 2007 and 2020.

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National Minority Mental Health Awareness Month aims to shine a spotlight on the unique mental health challenges and inequalities that minorities face. If you belong to a minority community, you deserve equitable, culturally competent, and inclusive support. That’s why in this article, we signpost to organizations and resources tailored to your care and well-being.

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Key takeaways

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• Minority communities face unique mental health challenges rooted in systemic inequality, cultural stigma, and underrepresentation in care.

• National Minority Mental Health Awareness Month highlights the urgent need for equitable, inclusive, and culturally competent mental health support.

• A wide range of tailored resources and support services are available to help individuals from minority backgrounds access compassionate, affirming care.

• Therapy that reflects your lived experience can make a meaningful difference in healing and well-being.

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What is Minority Mental Health Awareness Month?

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National Minority Mental Health Awareness Month takes place every July in the United States. It was first declared in 2008, and since then, it has been observed as a period to acknowledge and explore issues concerning the mental health of minority groups. It focuses on a wide range of topics and themes, including:

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• Barriers to care

• Underdiagnosis and misdiagnosis

• Cultural stigma

• Provider bias

• Religious and traditional beliefs impacting mental health treatment

• The normalization of emotional suffering in some communities

• The need for more diverse mental health professionals

• Culturally sensitive practices

• The impact of historical and generational trauma

• Systemic racism and discrimination in healthcare

• Economic and environmental stressors that contribute to poor mental health

• Intersectionality

• Access to resources and advocacy

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Minority mental health statistics

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Mental health issues do not discriminate, and there should never be any question that everyone should have access to affordable, high-quality mental health care. However, Minority Mental Health Awareness Month highlights why eradicating racial disparities is so important:

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• Black Americans are 3-4 times more likely to be diagnosed with schizophrenia spectrum disorders than White Americans.

• American Indians and Alaskan Natives report higher rates of post-traumatic stress disorder and alcohol dependence than any other ethnic or racial group.

• 48% of White individuals receive mental health services, compared with 31% of Black and Hispanic individuals, and 22% of Asian individuals.

• Individuals who identify as being of two or more races are more likely to report any mental illness within the past year than any other race or ethnic group.

• Muslim Americans have higher rates of depression and anxiety than other minority groups and are up to twice as likely to attempt suicide compared to other religious groups.

• 55% of Jewish people under the age of 25 say they are living with mental illness, distress, or trauma.

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Minority mental health support and resources

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Finding culturally competent mental health support can be challenging, especially for individuals from minority backgrounds who may face systemic barriers, stigma, or a lack of representation in care.

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The following resources aim to provide inclusive, identity-affirming mental health support tailored to the needs of specific communities. Whether you're seeking therapy, education, or crisis assistance, these organizations are here to help.

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Minority mental health crisis support

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988 Lifeline

Free, confidential support 24/7 for anyone in emotional distress or suicidal crisis. Dial 988 to speak with trained counselors.

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Call Blackline

Provides a safe space for Black, Indigenous, and People of Color to talk about racial trauma or harm. Call 1-800-604-5841.

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Crisis Text Line

Text “HELLO” to 741741 for free, confidential mental health support from trained crisis counselors anytime.

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Minority youth mental health resources

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AAKOMA Project

Empowers youth of color and their caregivers with culturally responsive mental health resources, education, and research.

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The Jed Foundation

Supports emotional health and prevents suicide among teens and young adults, with resources for schools, students, and families.

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The Steve Fund

Focused on mental health for young people of color through research, programs, and partnerships with higher education institutions.

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The Defensive Line

Supports youth mental health and suicide prevention, particularly for young Black and Brown individuals and their communities.

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Comunilife’s Life is Precious

Prevents suicide among Latina teens through culturally appropriate support programs, including counseling, academic help, and creative arts.

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Black mental health resources

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Black Mental Health Alliance

Connects the Black community with culturally relevant mental health professionals, training, and educational resources.

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Boris Lawrence Henson Foundation

Founded by Taraji P. Henson to provide mental health support and therapy scholarships to Black individuals and communities.

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Black Girls Smile

Promotes mental wellness for Black girls and women through education, advocacy, and direct support services.

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Black Emotional and Mental Health Collective

A training, movement-building, and grant-making organization dedicated to healing and wellness in Black communities.

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Strong Talk

A podcast discussing Black mental health, wellness, and emotional resilience, featuring personal stories and expert insights.

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Lee Thompson Young Foundation

Raises awareness and provides education to improve mental health and reduce stigma in underserved communities.

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Hispanic and Latinx mental health resources

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National Alliance for Hispanic Health

Offers community-based health information and mental health support in both English and Spanish.

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SanaMente

A bilingual mental health movement supporting Latinx individuals through education, stigma reduction, and community engagement.

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Asian mental health resources

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Asian American Psychological Association

Promotes mental health awareness and research within Asian American communities and provides resources for professionals and the public.

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Asians Do Therapy

A storytelling platform that aims to reduce stigma and encourage Asian communities to seek therapy by sharing real-life experiences.

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The National Asian American Pacific Islander Mental Health Association

Advocates for the mental health and well-being of Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander communities with culturally competent resources and training.

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Native American mental health resources

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Indian Health Service

Provides mental and behavioral health services to American Indian and Alaska Native communities.

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All My Relations

A podcast exploring Indigenous identity, culture, and mental health through thoughtful conversations and storytelling.

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Stronghearts Native Helpline

Culturally appropriate support for Native Americans facing domestic or dating violence. Call 1-844-7NATIVE.

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Jewish mental health resources

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The Blue Dove Foundation

Addresses mental health and addiction through a Jewish lens, offering education, resources, and community support.

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Jewish Family Service

Provides counseling, support groups, and mental health services to individuals and families of all faiths.

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Relief

Connects individuals in the Jewish community with mental health professionals and crisis support across the U.S. and Canada.

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Muslim mental health resources

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Maristan

A mental health nonprofit grounded in Islamic principles, offering services, research, and advocacy for Muslim mental wellness.

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Khalil Center

Integrates traditional Islamic spirituality with psychology to offer therapy, education, and training.

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Naseeha

Offers confidential, faith-based peer support for Muslim youth via phone and text. Call 1-866-627-3342.

Therapy for minority mental health support

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Access to therapy that understands and respects your cultural background, identity, and lived experiences can make a meaningful difference in mental health outcomes. For many individuals from minority communities, finding a therapist who ‘gets it’, without the need to explain or justify their reality, can create a safe space for genuine healing and growth.

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Inclusive Therapists

A directory connecting clients with therapists who center cultural sensitivity, LGBTQ+ inclusion, and accessibility.

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Melanin & Mental Health

Connects individuals to culturally competent therapists and highlights mental health conversations within communities of color.

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OK Clarity

Mental health platform serving the Jewish community, offering a therapist directory, wellness resources, and community support.

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Latinx Therapy

Offers a directory of Latinx therapists and resources to reduce stigma and support mental wellness in the Latinx community.

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Ruh Care

Online therapy platform offering culturally and spiritually aligned therapy for Muslims and other underserved communities.

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Asian Mental Health Collective

Raises awareness and breaks stigma through advocacy, storytelling, and a directory of AAPI-identifying therapists.

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Resilience Lab

We have an expansive blog that comprises articles written by experts on a broad range of topics impacting marginalized communities, including BIPOC, LGBTQ, and those with neurodiversity.

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Resilience Lab also connects individuals with diverse, licensed therapists focused on culturally responsive, evidence-based care. With a directory of over 300 practitioners, your match is based not just on your location and the reason you’re seeking therapy but also on which professional aligns with who you are.  

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This Minority Mental Health Awareness Month, take the first step to mental health care that understands you and helps you to understand yourself. Find your ideal therapist.

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References

• MHA Releases 2024 State of Mental Health in America Report (July 2024)
• Youth suicide crisis: identifying at-risk individuals and prevention strategies - PMC (May 2024)
• Black youth suicide rates continue to climb. What to know | Association of Health Care Journalists (October 2024)
• Indigenous American mental health: Quick facts
• Rompiendo Barreras: Dismantling Barriers to Latino Mental Health Care | UnidosUS (March 2024)
• Mental Health Disparities: Diverse Populations (2017)
• The weaponization of medicine: Early psychosis in the Black community and the need for racially informed mental healthcare (February 2023)
• Anxiety and depression in a post-September 11 sample of Arabs in the USA - PubMed (March 2012)
• Suicide Attempts of Muslims Compared With Other Religious Groups in the US | Health Disparities | JAMA Psychiatry (July 2021)

Over half of Jewish under 25-year-olds suffering with poor mental health (September 2023)