Holistic Wellness Program

BIPOC Mental Health Month, observed each July, highlights the unique mental health challenges and strengths of Black, Indigenous, and people of color, promoting awareness, support, and equitable care.
Purpose and History
According to Mental Health America. BIPOC Mental Health Month, also known as Bebe Moore Campbell National Minority Mental Health Awareness Month, was established to honor Bebe Moore Campbell, a teacher, author, journalist, and mental health advocate who worked to shed light on the mental health needs of underrepresented communities Mental Health America+1. The month focuses on the unique challenges BIPOC individuals face, including systemic racism, discrimination, and historical trauma, while also celebrating community strengths and resilience Mental Health America+1. Mental Health America (MHA) provides toolkits and resources to encourage honest conversations, support networks, and self-care practices within trusted community spaces Mental Health America+1.
Key Mental Health Facts for BIPOC Communities
• Stress and Discrimination: BIPOC individuals experience higher levels of stress due to systemic racism, biases, and microaggressions, which can increase blood pressure, hypervigilance, and overall mental health strain pathlightbh.com. In 2020, 44% of nonwhite Americans reported significant daily stress from discrimination, up from 38% in 2019 pathlightbh.com.
• Prevalence of Mental Illness: Approximately 17.3% of Black/African American adults experience mental illness annually, while 35.8% of mixed/multiracial adults report mental health conditions, the highest among surveyed groups pathlightbh.com+1.
• Access to Care: Mental health services are often underutilized in BIPOC communities. In 2020, 37.1% of Black adults and 35% of Hispanic adults with mental illness received treatment, compared to 52% of White adults empathymh.org.
• Youth and Su***de: Su***de is a leading cause of death among young Black and Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander individuals. Black children aged 5–12 have nearly twice the su***de rate of White children, and Black adolescents’ su***de attempts increased nearly 80% from 1991 to 2019 empathymh.org.
• Misdiagnosis and Health Disparities: Black patients are more frequently diagnosed with schizophrenia spectrum disorders and less often with depression, potentially leading to inadequate treatment. BIPOC communities also face higher rates of chronic physical health conditions, compounding mental health challenges pathlightbh.com+1.
Community and Support
BIPOC Mental Health Month emphasizes connection, self-care, and community support. MHA encourages casual check-ins, structured support spaces, and the use of culturally relevant resources to foster mental well-being Mental Health America+1 .
The Holistic Wellness Program welcomes everyone to visit the center. Join us for any of our mental health activities and become connected to the community.

Our Juneteenth: Freedom Day Celebration was a powerful testament to the resilience of the human spirit. We're grateful to everyone who joined us to honor the struggles and sacrifices of enslaved Americans. The Fresno community came together to hear Sam Yamoussou's riveting account of history and Abdul Latiff's captivating stories of the African drums. The festivities continued with the crowd enthusiastically participating alongside the AHH Line Dancers of Fresno in a vibrant line dance display. We're thankful for the support of over 13 Outreach Resource Vendors who helped make this event possible. The meaningful connections forged at this celebration filled our team with pride and inspired us to continue fostering a sense of community and cultural exchange at The Fresno Center.

It was a pleasure having the Fresno Black Chamber of Commerce share space with us on our Juneteenth Freedom Day celebration.