Episode 72: National Minority Mental Health Awareness Month

[00:00:00] Foreign. [00:00:07] Hey. Hey everyone. Welcome back to Just say Something podcast. I'm your host, Philip Clark, and today we're going to talk about something that's very important and critical in all that we do and with our partners. It is National Minority Mental Health Awareness Month. [00:00:29] And the month was created in honor of B.B. moore Campbell, an advocate who worked to bring awareness to the mental health challenges facing minority communities. [00:00:41] She believed that access to care should be equal for everyone. [00:00:46] Unfortunately, we're still fighting for that because that's still not the case. [00:00:52] One in five adults in the US Experiences mental illness each year. [00:00:58] But for people of color, getting help is often harder. There are cultural barriers, a lack of representation in the mental health field, and stigma that the deep rooted belief that asking for help is a weakness. [00:01:16] That belief can be very deadly in many families, and maybe yours, maybe others were told to tough it out, keep it in the family, or pray it away. But mental health is health. [00:01:34] Therapy and faith can work together. [00:01:38] You don't have to choose one or the other. [00:01:40] We talk to parents, teens and community members every day at Just say Something. They're struggling silently with stress, trauma, anxiety and more. [00:01:53] And they need more than good intentions. They need real support, real care and real conversations. [00:02:02] So what can we do as a community? [00:02:04] First, talk. [00:02:06] Ask your kids how they're really doing and don't accept I'm fine as a full answer. [00:02:14] Second, share. If you struggled, tell someone your story could make a difference. Difference in someone else, that is Feeling alone. [00:02:26] Third, learn. There are local and national organizations doing amazing work in this space. [00:02:33] Support them, share their info and then normalize getting help, which also helps reduce the stigma. [00:02:42] We work with a couple of partners, NAMI of Greenville and then Mental Health America, Greenville county, who supports 988, which is our crisis line. [00:02:54] Finally, advocate push for mental health education in schools. Support policies that make care more accessible. [00:03:03] Use your voice here. Just say something. We believe strong families are emotionally strong too. If you're listening right now and struggling or someone you love, reach out, call a friend, talk to a counselor, call 988 or reach out to us. [00:03:25] You or them are not alone. [00:03:29] Let's make this month more than just awareness. Let's make it action. [00:03:34] Thanks for being here. [00:03:36] Don't forget to follow, share, subscribe and comment on our podcast. [00:03:43] And until next time, take care of yourself and each other. [00:03:48] Sam.