National Minority Mental Health Awareness Month

July is National Minority Mental Health Awareness Month. This month is not only an opportunity to spread mental health awareness, but also a reminder that too often communities of color face structural barriers to accessing mental health care.

Americans generally face barriers to care like costs and scheduling challenges, but “people of color face increased access barriers due to a range of factors, such as the lack of a diverse mental health care workforce, the absence of culturally informed treatment options, and stereotypes and discrimination associated with poor mental health.” (KFF) Additionally, recent policies such as cuts to Medicaid will have a disproportionate impact on communities of color and create additional challenges for accessing care.

It’s essential to recognize the unique challenges communities of color face in accessing mental health care due to America’s legacy of prejudice and systemic discrimination. ACA is committed to advocating against these systemic barriers to care and prioritizing support for historically underserved communities.

Explore our legislative priorities to learn more and join our advocacy campaigns to urge Congress to expand access to care and protect programs that serve underserved communities. For questions or to learn more about ACA’s advocacy efforts, please contact us at advocacy@counseling.org.