BeyondTheNumbers: BIPOC Mental Health

July Is Bebe Moore Campbell National Minority Mental Health Awareness Month also known as BIPOC Mental Health Month.

It was created to bring awareness to the unique struggles that marginalized groups face in regard to mental illness in the US. Bebe Moore Campbell was an American author, journalist, teacher, and mental health advocate who worked tirelessly to shed light on the mental health needs of the Black community and other marginalized communities. Visit Mental Health America (MHA) to learn more https://mhanational.org/BIPOC-mental-health-month

This year’s theme is BeyondTheNumbers. 

We know that numbers are important. They give us a snapshot of the bigger picture. Statistics and data give us the ability to understand key connections that help us to make informed decisions. But, numbers don’t tell the whole story, instead only giving us a broad view that misses the deeper and individual context. For BIPOC communities, we also know that numbers focus much too often on disparities rather than strengths and resilience. Just as every person is unique, so is every culture. This year’s theme for Black, Indigenous, and people of color (BIPOC), Mental Health Month is #BeyondTheNumbers. Join us, and together we will gain knowledge of historical context, systems of support, and actionable ways to move forward toward a mentally healthy future. 

Members of our Orchard Place Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee have identified resources doing work in these areas including: 

The Supply Hive https://www.thesupplyhivedsm.org/about_us

Monsoon https://monsooniowa.org/

Al Exito https://www.alexitoiowa.org/about

Genesis Youth Foundation https://www.genesisyouthfoundation.org/about

Oakridge Community https://oakridgeneighborhood.org/

Des Moines Mutual Aid: https://www.facebook.com/DesMoinesMutualAid/

Good Vibes Movement: http://goodvibesyoga.com/

Corinthian Baptist Church: https://www.corinthianbc.org/

Des Moines Black Lives Matter Movement: https://www.facebook.com/desmoinesblm/

Back 2 School Iowa: https://www.facebook.com/Back2schooliowa/