July is Minority Mental Health Month and aims to bring understanding of the unique mental health struggles that minority groups face. When people consider the term “minority,” race and ethnicity typically come to mind. However, the term has expanded to include other marginalized groups, including the LGBTQ community, refugee and immigrant groups, and religious groups. Studies show that people in minority groups experience mental health concerns, such as depression and anxiety, at a higher rate than non-minority groups. Certain minority groups, as part of their cultural norm, do not discuss mental health at all. Or if they do, they may use terminology that downplays what they’re experiencing. (i.e. “I’m just a worry-wart.”) It’s important to be aware of cultural differences that may prevent members of diverse groups from accessing beneficial mental health services. For more information on Minority Mental Health Month and to watch videos featuring first-hand accounts of diverse individuals’ experiences with mental health, please visit https:// www.mentalhealthamerica.net/minority-mental-health-month.

(Mental Health America, 2018)