Journalist Bebe Moore Campbell used her voice and personal story to build awareness of the challenges Black Americans face in supporting their mental health. She called attention to the mental health stigma felt by Black people, “who already feel stigmatized by virtue of our race,” and also 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. And she 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, now known as BIPOC [Black, Indigenous, and people of color] Mental Health Month, to be observed in July.
Mental health disparities and inequities persist
Despite these efforts, BIPOC communities continue to face mental health disparities and inequities. African Americans are 20% more likely to experience psychological distress than Whites, but they’re half as likely to get mental health treatment due to stigma, fear of judgment, and a shortage of Black mental health professionals, among other factors.
According to Mental Health America, experiencing or observing frequent acts of discrimination puts members of BIPOC communities 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
To help support the well-being of BIPOC employees, Calm has curated a selection of preventive mental health resources featuring artists, experts, and mindfulness teachers representing BIPOC communities. These tools can break down the mental health stigma and help employees reduce stress and anxiousness, build resilience and self-care skills, and get better sleep.
Wisdom
- Calm Conversations: And Then We Rise, Common and Dr. Rheeda Walker
Dr. Rheeda Walker, a licensed clinical psychologist and leading scholar on African American mental health, and Common, an award-winning artist, actor, author, and activist, share practical strategies for holistic well-being in a discussion about his new book, And Then We Rise. - Train Your Mind, Volume II, Lebron James
World renowned four-time NBA champion and MVP LeBron James returns to share fresh inspiration and new tools for staying strong—body and mind.
Meditations
- We Were Made for Times Like These, Kaira Jewel Lingo
In this series of meditations, Kaira Jewel Lingo guides listeners to meet life’s challenges with more resilience and ease. Kaira Jewel Lingo is a Dharma teacher with a lifelong interest in spirituality and social justice. After living in Thich Nhat Hanh’s monastic community as an ordained nun for 15 years, she now teaches internationally in the Zen and Vipassana lineages. - Create Rest and Relaxation, Dr. Eric López
Eric López, 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 Floating Gardens of Xochimilco (Sleep Story), Mariana Garcia
Listeners float down Mexico’s historic canals with Lucia as she gathers ingredients for her abuela’s recipes. Narrated by seasoned voice actor Mariana Garcia. As a young bilingual talent, Mariana loves recording in English and Spanish. - Unwind Into Sleep (Sleep Meditation), Chibs Okereke
Chibs 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. In this Sleep Meditation, he helps listeners release tension and ease into sleep using breath work and body awareness.
Movement
- Daily Move: Peace, An Inside Job, Mel Mah
Dancer, filmmaker, and yoga teacher Mel Mah helps participants find inner peace through long exhalations and balance postures.
This BIPOC Mental Health 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 preventive, proactive approach to mental health and providing resources that align with the culture and identity of BIPOC employees.
For more information on proactively supporting employee mental health and well-being, check out our pricing or connect with a Calm specialist today.
