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July 2014
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It's Minority Mental Health Awareness Month
In 2008, the United States House of Representatives declared the month of July as Bebe Moore Campbell National Minority Mental Health Awareness Month. This remembrance promotes improved access to mental health treatment and services for racial and ethnic minority populations.
Find out more about HHS and Office of Minority Health activities during National Minority Mental Health Awareness Month and what you can do to support mental health.
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The Office of Minority Health (OMH) at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services is pleased to announce five new appointments and a new chair to the Advisory Committee on Minority Health (ACMH). The ACMH advises the Deputy Assistant Secretary for Minority Health on improving the health of racial and ethnic minority populations, and on the development of goals and program activities of OMH.
See the announcement and new ACMH roster.
At the Office of Minority Health, we appreciate our grantees and their outstanding work in the unified effort to reduce health disparities and serve the community. This month, we are profiling two grantees who operate interesting programs for men’s health. Take a moment to learn more about them:
Wellness and Prevention- The Osborne Association
The Health Enlightenment, Awareness and Living (HEAL) II Program- Wholistic Stress Control Institute, Inc.
A new data brief by the Office of Minority Health, examining the characteristics of uninsured males by race and ethnicity, is a useful tool to inform federal, state and community efforts aimed at improving insurance coverage of targeted populations. This type of data will enhance our ability to better measure and track health differences of racial and ethnic minority populations in the future. Read the full data brief.
Mental illness affects one in four adults and one in ten children in America. The U.S. Surgeon General reports that minorities are less likely to receive diagnosis and treatment for their mental illness, have less access to and availability of mental health services and often receive a poorer quality of mental health care. Furthermore, mental illness is a leading cause of disability, yet nearly two-thirds of people with a diagnosable mental illness do not seek treatment, and racial and ethnic groups in the U.S. are even less likely to get help, according to the National Alliance on Mental Illness.
During National Minority Mental Health Awareness Month, start the conversation about mental health in your organization or community. Encourage your family, friends, loved ones and clients to learn more about improving mental health and illness.
Here’s how you can get involved:
- Visit Mentalhealth.gov to get more information on mental health resources.
- Pledge to increase awareness of mental illness and mental health promotion in diverse communities. Choose from a list of personal and/or community steps to raise awareness about the importance of mental health in your life and in your community. Choose your pledge now.
- Host a community event. Find a local organization that specializes in mental health, and coordinate a community event. SAMHSA provides a list of organizations that can assist in the organization and execution of a community event to raise mental health awareness. Find an organization.
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Save the Date: Twitter chat on mental health. Tweet with us July 17 at 2 pm EDT, using #MMHMChat.
Part of SAMHSA’s webinar series, this webinar describes new and emerging crisis response practices across a continuum of need that includes pre-crisis planning, early intervention, crisis stabilization and post-crisis support. Explore the types of outcomes sought for different approaches, how these approaches are financed, and state and local examples. Join us Tuesday, July 15, 2-3:30 pm EDT. Register for the webinar.
Catch up with us in July at:
National Council of LaRaza Annual Conference
July 19-22, Los Angeles, CA
National Urban League Conference
July 23-26, Cincinnati, OH
Booth #H311
The Knowledge Center at the Office of Minority Health Resource Center is the nation’s largest repository of information on minority health and health disparities. Watch this short overview on the features and benefits that can be accessed. Watch Knowledge Center video.
Latest Knowledge Center acquisitions list
OMHRC (HeiTech Services Inc.) is recruiting for an experienced Capacity Building Program Analyst for American Indian/Alaska Native Populations. The ideal candidate will have a minimum of three years’ experience in developing and implementing awareness and outreach programs with a focus on AI/AN communities. Knowledge of public health, health education and the impact of health disparities on tribal populations is required. The ideal candidate will be able to think strategically, collaborate effectively and manage operations efficiently. S/he should be a strong communicator with training skills who understands program development and operations and organizational strategy in progressive nonprofit environments. Open until filled. Apply online.
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