July is National Minority Mental Health Awareness Month

July is National Minority Mental Health Awareness Month. We discussed it from the perspectives of children, adults, and our senior citizens. Shacara Brummitt, (www.bewelljustbe.com) a children’s mental health counselor, informed us of ways that mental health deficiencies show up in children, from anxiety to disobedience. With the rate of suicide having increased in our children over the last few years, it is important to stay connected and involved in their lives. Our second guest, Mirsha Alexandre, adult mental health counselor, emphasized the importance of understanding that there are various ways that mental health problems can show up in adults. With stigmas surrounding seeking help and lack of insurance in the black communities, Alexandre recommends finding culturally sensitive counselors. In the last hour, we spoke with Dr. Tameca Harris- Jackson (www.hopeserenityhealth.com) about mental illness diagnosis within senior citizens. We don’t see or hear the mental health problems that they suffer from; especially within family matters, grief and isolation. Dr. Jackson emphasizes the importance of giving them a space to be human and communicated to with love. www.blackvirtualwellness.com www.therapyforblackgirls.com www.openpathpsychology.com