In this month of July we recognize a fairly new cause created in 2008 to bring awareness to a highly important topic — Minority Mental Health Awareness.

Why, you may ask, would an opioid treatment provider lend so much credence to a mental health cause? People with a mental health disorder are at a much greater risk of opioid dependence. 

You now may ask, why is the cause dedicated solely to minority groups? The National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) clearly puts it: “In many communities, these problems are increased by less access to care, cultural stigma and lower quality care.”

NAMI established a three-part docuseries, Strength Over Silence: Stories of Courage, Culture and Community, that explores the perspectives on mental health from the African American and Latino communities. The series is described as “candid and courageous stories of lived experience… from mental health champions who share their journeys of resiliency and recovery.” 

The docuseries is part of a larger campaign called, “WhyCare?,” that challenges people to care about learn and care about mental illness.

“America’s entire mental health system needs improvement, including when it comes to serving marginalized communities,” the NAMI website reads.

Learn ways to support mental health awareness and education at their website.

If you or a loved one are facing mental health difficulties, consider contacting NAMI at 800-950-NAMI, info@nami.org, or text “NAMI” to 741741.

If you or a loved one may have opioid use disorder, contact New Season any day, any time at 1-877-284-7074 or newseason@cmglp.com.