Take care. Be well.
July



 

 

Community Bridges to Success Incorporated (CBTSI) recognizes BeBe Moore Campbell Minority Mental Health Awareness Month, UV safety Awareness Month and World Drowning Day.

 

Health is more than visiting a doctor when you're sick. It also includes caring for your mental well -being, protecting yourself from preventable illnesses and injuried, making informed choices, and looking out for one another.

Throughout the summer CBTSI encourages our community to stay informed, practice healthy habits, and take advantage of available resources support healthier lives.

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Bebe Moore Campbell National Minority Mental Health Awareness Month

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If you never heard of Bebe Moore Campbell, you're not alone—but her work has made a lasting impact on how we take-out mental health today. She was a best selling author, journalist and advocate who believed that mental health should talked about openly, especially in Black and other underserved communities where stigma often kept people from asking from for help. Because of her dedication to breaking down barriers Congress designated July as Bebe Moore Campbell National Minority Mental Health Awareness in her honor.

 

At CBTSI , we continue the conversation by encouraging our community to check in with themselves support one another, and remember that mental health is just as important as physical health.

 

The Mental Health Gap in Black Communities

 

Mental health conditions affect prople of every race and ethnicity. However, Black communities often face greater barriers to receiving timely, culturally responsive, and effective mental health care. These disparities are influenced by factors such as stigma, financial barriers, limited access to providers, discrimination, historical mistrust of the healthcare system, and social determinants of health.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Did You Know?

 

• Black adults were 36% less likely than U.S. adults overall to receive mental health treatment in the past year, despite many experiencing many health conditions that could benefit from professional care. (Office of Minority Health)

• Fewer than one in two African American adults with a mental health condition receive treatment, meaning many people go without the  support they need. (U.S. Food and Drug Administration)

• Black high school students were 8% more likely than students nationwide to report attempting suicide in the previous year, highlighting the importance of early intervention and youth mental health services. (Office of Minority Health)

• Studies show that Black Americans often delay seeking mental health care because of stigma, concerns about cost, difficulty accessing services, lack of culturally responsive providers, and distrust of the healthcare system (NCBI)

 

Seeking help is not a sign of weakness—it is an important step toward healing and overall well-being.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

For generations, myths and stigma surrounding mental health have discouraged many people in the Black community from seeking the care and support they deserve.

 

• Myth: Therapy is only for people with serious mental illness.

 

• Fact: Therapy can help people manage stress, anxiety, grief , relationship challenges, and everyday life.

• Myth: "What happens in this house says in this house."

• Fact: While privacy is important, some struggles require support from a trusted mental heath professional. Seeking help can improve your well-being and strengthen families.

• Myth: Prayer alone should fix mental health problems.

• Fact: Faith can be an important source of strength and comfort. Many people find that prayer and professional mental health care can work together to support healing.

• Myth: Black people don't go to therapy.

• Fact: More Black individuals and families are seeing therapy than ever before. Talking to a mental health professional is a positive toward healing and self-care.

 

Why These Disparities Matter

Untreated mental health conditions can affect every aspect of a person's life, including physical health, relationships, school or work performance, financial stability, and overall quality of life. Mental wellness is just as important as physical wellness, and seeking support should be viewed as a sign of strength not weakness. While many health conditions are preventable or manageable with early care, Black communities continue to experience disparities in healthcare access, chronic illness, mental health support, and community violence. These  issues affect not only individuals, but families, neighborhoods, and future generations.

 

Black Women and Mental Health

Black women are often expected to be caregivers,nuturers, providers, and the ones who "hold everything together". While these roles are important, they can also make it difficult to recognize when we need support ourselves.

 

Many Black women delay seeking mental health care because they feel guilty putting themselves first, worry about being judged, or have been told they are "too emotional"or "too strong" to need help.

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Some women also report feeling unheard or misunderstood when discussing their concerns with healthcare providers who may not fully understand their lived experiences, culture background, or the effects of racism, discrimination, and generational trauma. Feeling dismissed or labeled as "angry" or "dramatic" can discourage people from seeking care again.

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Taking care of your mental health is not selfish—it is part of taking care of yourself, your family, and your future.

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Black Men and Mental Health

Many Black men are taught from an early age to be strong, handle problems on their own, and avoid showing vulnerability. While resilience is important, carrying emotional pain alone can lead to depression, anxiety, substance use, relationship challenges, and other health concerns.

 

Black men are less likely to seek mental health treatment than many other groups, often because of stigma,mistrust of the healthcare system, lack of culturally responsive providers, financial barriers, or the belief that asking for help is a sign of weakness. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Speaking with a therapist, counselor, trusted healthcare provider or support group is not a sign of weakness—it is an act of strength.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Mental Health Resources  In The Bronx

988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline

• Call or text 988

• Free and confidential

• Available 24 hours a day

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NYC Well

• Call 988 or chat online

• Mental health support in multiple languages

 

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Bronx Providers

• Montefiore Behavioral Health

• NYC Health+Hospitals/Jacobi Behavioral Health

• NYC Health+Hospitals/Lincoln BehavioralHealth

• BronxCare Behavioral Health

• Union Community Health Center

• Acacia Network Behavioral Health

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Looking for a Black Mental Health Provider?

Many people feel more comfortable speaking with a therapist who understands their culture and lived experiences. While everyone deserves compassionate care regardless of race or ethnicity some individuals prefer providers who share similar backgrounds.

 

These directories can help:

 

• Therapy for Black Girls

• Therapy for Black Men

• Black Mental Health Alliance

• Inclusive Therapists

• Clinicians of Color Directory

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UV Safety and Black Communities​​​​​

 

There is a common misconception that people with darker skin do not need sunscreen or sun protection. While melanin does provide some natural protection against the sunlit does not eliminate the risk of sun damage or skin cancer 

 

Research has shown that Black

individuals are diagnosed with

melanoma less often than White

individuals, but when melanoma does

occur, it is often found at a larger stage

making treatment more difficult.

Delayed diagnosis contributes to poorer

outcomes

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Everyone—regardless of skin tone—can benefit from protecting their skin from harmful UV rays.

 

Did you Know?

• Skin cancer can affect people of every rwce and the ethnicity.

• Melanoma is less common among Black Americans but is more likely to be diagnosed at a later stagepressure monitoring

• UV rays can pas through clouds, meaning you can still be exposed on overcast days.

• Water, sand sidewalks, and reflect UV rays, increasing sun exposure.

Myth​

"I have dark skin so I don't need sunscreen"

 

Fact

While melanin offers some natural protection, it does not prevent sun damage or eliminate the risk of skin cancer.

 

Myth

"You only need sunscreen when you're at the beach"

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Fact

UV rays are present during everyday outdoor activities including, exercising, attending community events, and playing sports.

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Myth

"It's cloudy so I don't need sunscreen"

Fact

Up to 80% of UV rays can penetrate clouds.

 

Protect Yourself This Summer

Simple habits can make a big difference:

 

• Wear broad-spectrum SPF 30 or higher.

• Reapply sunscreen every two hours or after swimming sweating.

• Wear sunglasses that block UVA and IVB rays

• Wear lightweight clothing that covers your skin.

• Wear a wide-brimmed hat when out doors.

• Seek shade between 10:00 A.M. and 4:00 P.M. when UV rays are strongest.

• Stay hydrated throughout the day.

 

Bronx & National Resources

American Academy of Dermatology

American Cancer Society

NYC Health+Hospitals Dermatology Services

Montefiore Dermatology

Union Community Health Center

NYC Parks Cooling Centers

NYC Heat & Health Resources

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Looking Ahead

Enjoy everything summer has to offer—but remember that protecting your skin today can help prevent health problems tomorrow. Whether you're spending time at Orchard Beach, attending a neighborhood festival, taking a walk through your local park, or simply relaxing outdoors, a few simple steps cn help keep you and your family safe.​

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Sun Safety Checklist

• Applied sunscreen (SPF 30+)

• Brought a reusable water bottle

• Wore sunglasses

• Wore a hat

• Checked the UV Index

• Seek shade from 10 a.m.-4 p.m.

• Reapplied sunscreen every two hours