May 27, 2008

NAMI is happy to announce that on May 21st the House passed H. Con. Res. 134, a resolution establishing July as Bebe Moore Campbell National Minority Mental Health Awareness Month. The resolution, sponsored by Rep. Albert Wynn [D-MD] and cosponsored by a large bipartisan group, was passed in recognition that:

• Improved access to mental health treatment and services and public awareness of mental illness are of paramount importance;
• There is an important need for improved access to care, treatment, and services for those diagnosed with severe and persistent mental health disorders and improved public awareness of mental illness; and
• An appropriate month should be recognized as Bebe Moore Campbell National Minority Mental Health Awareness Month to enhance public awareness of mental illness and mental illness among minorities.

NAMI is extremely grateful for this showing of bipartisan support for mental health awareness in minority communities and for the important recognition of the life of Bebe Moore Campbell - an accomplished author, advocate and co-founder of NAMI Urban Los Angeles who passed away in November 2006.

In 2003, Bebe received NAMI's Outstanding Media Award for Literature for the book Sometimes My Mommy Gets Angry, written especially for children, about a young girl who learns how to cope with her mother's bipolar illness. In 2005, her novel 72-Hour Hold focused on an adult daughter and a family's experience with the onset of mental illness. It helped educate Americans that the struggle often is not just with the illness, but with the healthcare system as well.

Learn More

• Click here for more details on H. Con. Res. 134 including the full text of the resolution.
• Read NAMI's letter of support for this important resolution here. 
• Access NAMI fact sheets and other resources related to issues in multicultural mental health here.