Increase Your Awareness for Minority Mental Health Month

July is Minority Mental Health Month, a time dedicated to raising awareness of the unique mental health and substance use challenges facing racial minorities and improving access to mental health treatments and services. Here are some ways from the Mental Health First Aid training curriculum you can raise your own awareness and show support:

• Take time to learn and do research.
• Respect a person's culture.
• Ask questions but don't rely on people to educate you about their experience.
• Focus on recovery and well-being.

As mentors and caring adults, we must consider youth's identities and that includes how their identities may impact their mental health needs. Culturally responsive mentoring is one way we can work to acknowledge youth's identities and give them appropriate support. It is essential to successful mentoring! 

For more information about Culturally Responsive Mentoring, OJJDP and Youth Collaboratory created a toolkit you can reference. If you're part of a mentoring program, discuss this with them or check out the resources available from The Mentoring Partnership!