Breaking Barriers. Building Bridges.

Minority Mental Health Month

Join us this month as we explore the unique challenges faced by underrepresented communities and highlight the importance of culturally responsive care. Together, we can break barriers and build bridges toward healing.

Every July, we observe Minority Mental Health Month—a time to raise awareness about the unique mental health challenges faced by underrepresented communities and to amplify the voices that too often go unheard. At NewPath, we believe that mental health is a human right, not a privilege. This month, we recommit to creating inclusive, culturally responsive pathways to healing and support.

Why Minority Mental Health Month Matters

Mental health affects everyone, but not everyone has equal access to care or equal experiences within the mental health system. Only 35% of Black adults with mental illness receive treatment, compared to 52% of white adults (OMH). American Indian and Alaska Native populations have the highest suicide rates of any racial/ethnic group in the U.S., particularly among youth (APA). Hispanic individuals are 60% less likely to receive mental health treatment than non-Hispanic individuals, largely due to LEP (Limited English Proficiency)(OMH).

But WHY is this happening? People from Black, Indigenous, Latinx, Asian, Pacific Islander, Middle Eastern, and other marginalized communities often face:

• Systemic barriers to care, including lack of insurance, transportation, or culturally competent providers.
• Stigma within their communities that discourages open conversations about mental health.
• Historical and intergenerational trauma that continues to impact mental well-being.
• Underdiagnosis or misdiagnosis due to cultural misunderstandings or provider bias.

These challenges are not just statistics, they are lived realities.

Centering Cultural Identity in Healing

Mental health is deeply personal, and culture plays a powerful role in how we understand, express, and seek help for emotional distress. That’s why culturally responsive care isn’t optional—it’s essential.

At NewPath, we work to ensure that our services reflect the diverse identities of the people we serve. This means:

• Hiring and training clinicians from a wide range of backgrounds
• Offering therapy in multiple languages
• Incorporating cultural traditions, values, and healing practices into treatment
• Listening—really listening—to what our clients need

When people feel seen, heard, and respected, healing becomes possible

How You Can Support

Whether you’re a mental health professional, an advocate, or someone simply looking to learn, here are a few ways to honor Minority Mental Health Month:

• Educate yourself about the mental health disparities affecting marginalized communities.
• Support organizations led by and serving people of color.
• Challenge stigmas by talking openly about mental health in your circles.
• Advocate for policy change that expands access to culturally competent care.

YOU Can Make A Difference

Minority Mental Health Month is not just about awareness—it’s about action. At NewPath, we’re committed to building a future where everyone, regardless of race, ethnicity, or background, has access to compassionate, affirming mental health care.

This July, let’s break down barriers. Let’s build bridges. Let’s walk the path to healing—together.