Contributed by: Brayden Ransom, Communication and Marketing Assistant, Mental Health Connecticut

July is celebrated as Bebe Moore Campbell National Minority Mental Health Awareness Month. A tradition that began in 2008 to bring awareness and focus to the obstacles and struggles that minorities face in caring for their mental health and in honor and remembrance of a phenomenal woman, Bebe Moore Campbell.

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Born in Pennylvania on February 19, 1950, Bebe spent the summers of her youth in North Carolina, following the divorce of her parents. Growing up in the two drastically different northern and southern states during the 50’s and 60’s, she witnessed the impact of racial segregation in our nation. She was the only African American in her dorm at the University of Pittsburgh, where she pursued her degree in Elementary Education. These experiences helped to shape her perspective and they fuel inspiration for her career as an author, journalist, teacher, and mental health advocate.

Once my loved ones accepted the diagnosis, healing began for the entire family, but it took too long. It took years. Can’t we, as a nation, begin to speed up that process? We need a national campaign to destigmatize mental illness, especially one targeted toward African Americans…It’s not shameful to have a mental illness. Get treatment. Recovery is possible. Bebe Moore Campbell, 2005

Bebe Campbell was a stalwart visionary for mental health advocacy, awareness, and education. She revealed to many that the system was fractured at its core, and she stopped at nothing to make others aware of the overbearing obstacles within the mental health world.

She was also very open about her personal experiences of mental illness within her family and teamed with up her friend Linda Wharton-Boyd to create the dedicated month for minority mental health awareness. When she and her friend Linda set out in 2005 to make a month-long observance, the official title was National Minority Mental Health Month. Sadly, Bebe had to step down from this work when she got sick. Following a battle with brain cancer, Bebe passed away in 2006.

It was after she passed that others joined with Linda, inspired by the work Bebe had done throughout her life and her passion to make this month-long observance a reality. Those who stood by Bebe and believed in what she wanted to see accomplished admirably felt it appropriate to name the month after her. Linda carried on Bebe’s campaign along with friends, family, and other advocates and in May of 2008, a resolution passed to make July Bebe Moore Campbell National Minority Mental Health Month.

The resolution was sponsored by Rep. Albert Wynn [D-MD] and cosponsored by a large bipartisan group to achieve two goals:

1) Improve access to mental health treatment and services and promote public awareness of mental illness.

2) Name a month as the Bebe Moore Campbell National Minority Mental Health Awareness Month to enhance public awareness of mental illness and mental illness among minorities.

“Honoring Bebe Moore Campbell National Minority Mental Health Awareness Month is integral to preserving the history of mental health advocacy for communities of color. Campbell is truly the ‘Mother of the Movement’ and inspired equitable access to care, culturally competent treatment and compassionate services. This posthumous recognition is a landmark achievement for all mental health advocates. We must continue to erase the stigma of mental illness and not Bebe Moore Campbell’s name.”

– Courtney Lang, JD

Director, Mental Health America’s Committee on Anti-Racsim, Equity and Social Justice

Founder and Principal, Langco + Partners

Campbell’s written work carries her legacy beyond the month of observation. Her New York Times bestselling novel “72 Hour Hold,” detailed the struggle of mothers and fathers who fight against an unjust mental health system. The book chronicles events experienced by fictional characters, but those characters are inspired by real-life warriors: the parents who were willing to confront the perilous forces that prioritize white privilege. Touched by stories of empowerment, individuals with mental illness and their parents, advocates, and caregivers recognized they were not alone. Through reading and sharing her work we are reminded of the comfort that Bebe brought to so many and are inspired to continue her legacy of education, awareness and advocacy to our immediate communities. It is our collective duty to honor Bebe Moore Campbell, her name and history, not just within the month of July but in our every day.

During this time of coronavirus-wrought isolation, economic hardship, and social unrest, the health care system continues to neglect minority mental health. Bringing apparent truth to the reality that mental health awareness should not be confined to an occasion, but something that should be freely discussed and addressed any given day of the year. With that in mind, let’s remember that we can take the lessons we learn this month and apply them to our daily lives.

To learn more about Bebe Moore Campbell, her life and her legacy please visit the links below:

Learn About Bebe Moore Campbell National Minority Mental Health Awareness Month

New York Times 2006