The month of July was originally Black & Indigenous People Of Color Mental Health Awareness Month (BIPOC).

In 2008, July was designated as the Bebe Moore Campbell National Minority Mental Health Awareness Month by the U.S. House of Representatives in honor of the leading African American novelist and journalist, who sought to eliminate stigma among diverse communities. Raising awareness about mental health care in underrepresented communities was her mission as she sought mental health care for her own daughter. Ms. Campbell was keenly aware of how culture, beliefs, sexual identity, values, race and language all affect how we perceive and experience mental health conditions.

In fact, cultural differences can influence what treatments, coping mechanisms and supports that work. It is essential for culture and identity to be a part of the conversation about mental health care and to erase the stigma in Black and marginalized communities.

The 2021 theme is "Strength in Communities"