National Minority Mental Health Awareness Month
Every July, we bring awareness to the unique struggles racial and ethnic minorities face in the United States, in regards to mental illness. Roughly 1 in 5 Americans suffer from mental illness, yet the topic is still greatly stigmatized in the media, politics, and other facets of life. While some may say awareness towards certain illnesses has improved, the COVID-19 Pandemic has highlighted and exacerbated issues of access for minority groups. Throughout the month of July, organizations such as the HHS Office of Minority Health (OMH) promote tools and resources that address these issues and stigmas. These organizations work with state, tribal, and local leaders, as well as various community-based organizations, to help educate communities on resources available to those in need.
In a 2023 report, the American Psychological Association found that politics are a major stressor in people’s lives, with presidential elections causing extreme stress. However, we also see the effects of politics on mental health through the fight to fund mental health programs rather than providing more funding for police departments. In both of these scenarios, ethnic and racial minorities are most affected by potential changes, leading to higher levels of stress and anxiety in these populations. Within the LGBTQ+ community, policy is a constant stressor. Montana State House Representative Zooey Zephyr highlighted this, stating that a bill that would define sex as only male or female under state law would cause spikes in depression and suicide amongst transgender youths. The night she was censured, her Republican colleagues misgendered her, an act of disrespect that often takes aim at the mental health of transgender individuals.
When it comes to the tie between politics and mental illness, it is clear that Republicans still stigmatize those who suffer. They create policies and defend the status quo without any regard for the mental safety of the people they serve. This July, as we focus on promoting mental health in minority communities, listen to what your representatives are saying, and consider the mental impacts their words have on said communities. Come November, join Rideshare2Vote as we work to elect leaders who promote mental wellness and de-stigmatizing mental illness.
by Delany Doggett
