July Is Minority Mental Health Awareness Month

July is National Minority Mental Health Awareness Month. It is a time to bring awareness to the unique challenges that racial and ethnic minorities in the United States face when it comes to mental illness. In 2020, fewer than one in every two African American adults got care for mental health. In 2018, Asian Americans were 60 percent less likely to receive mental health treatment than non-Hispanic Whites. Obstacles for many include a lack of health insurance, less access to treatment, and stigma.

Mental illness can affect women of all races and ethnicities. Show your support this month and beyond by learning more about mental health. You can also use and share the resources below to help spread awareness about mental health in your communities and families. 

What Is Mental Health?

Mental health includes emotional, mental, and social well-being. Mental health impacts how a person thinks and feels. It also affects how you act, manage stress, and make choices. When you take care of your mental health, you are better able to cope with stress or challenges. 

Sometimes it can be hard to manage  your mental health. If you have noticed a change in thoughts, behaviors, or moods that disrupts your life, talk to your health care provider. You can also contact a mental health specialist or a trusted loved one for help if you have noticed these changes in yourself or in a loved one. 

What Causes Mental Illness?

There is no single cause for mental illness. Multiple mental illnesses can occur at the same time and at random. They can also last for a short or long period of time.  

Your mental health can change at any point. Some risk factors that can play a role in developing mental illness include:

• Use of alcohol or drugs

• Feeling lonely or isolated

• Biological factors or chemical imbalances in the brain

• Adverse childhood experiences, like child abuse or sexual assault

• Experiences tied to ongoing medical conditions, like cancer or diabetes
  

Symptoms of a Mental Illness

Most of the same mental illnesses can develop in both men and women. However, women may have more distinct symptoms.

Some common symptoms can include:

• Pulling away from people and usual activities

• Appetite or weight changes

• Ongoing sadness or feelings of hopelessness

• Intense changes in eating or sleeping habits

• Clear changes in mood, energy level, or appetite

Source: The US Department of Food and Drug Administration

Knowledge and News on Women’s Health (KNOWH) blog from FDA Office of Women’s Health