Every July, the American Psychiatric Association (APA) holds a variety of events in celebration and in honor of Bebe Moore Campbell National Minority Mental Health Awareness Month. Named after the late New York Times-bestselling author and influential mental health advocate, this special monthly designation was established by Congress in 2008 to annually raise awareness of mental health inequities in communities of color and increase access to mental health treatment and services for people of color.

In honor of Campbell and her legacy, APA’s Moore Equity in Mental Health Initiative events are designed to advance awareness of mental health disparities in communities of color, reduce stigma surrounding mental illness, and support access to resources and services, all while bringing those passionate about promoting mental health equity together locally and nationally.

Take a look below at the upcoming 2023 APA Moore Equity in Mental Health Initiative events and find out where you can join us in these important efforts! Check back on the Moore Equity In Mental Health Initiative page for updates on event details as July gets closer, and be sure to follow APA on social media to stay up to date.

5K Run, Walk, & Roll

•  Saturday, July 29, 2023
•   Wheaton Regional Park (Silver Spring, MD) and virtually
•  Register for the Moore Equity in Mental Health 5K today.

Join us for our third annual Moore Equity in Mental Health 5K Run, Walk, and Roll in person with APA or in your local community to raise awareness and combat mental health inequities facing young people of color. Last year’s 5K raised $100,000 to support a variety of mental health equity community initiatives – this year, help APA exceed $100K. Proceeds go to the APA Foundation Community Grants Program which supports community organizations with innovative programs and services to improve mental health for young people of color.

Community Fair

•  Saturday, July 8, 2023
•  Baltimore, MD

Join APA for a day of family fun with games, music, prizes and more, all while learning more about mental health information, resources, services, and organizations.

Youth Summit

•  Wednesday, July 12, 2023
•  Washington, D.C.

Join us for a day of programming to empower and center the voices of young people of color in the D.C. community to be mental health advocates for themselves, their peers, and the broader community - featuring speakers, workshops, and resources from adolescent-psychiatry experts.

Sneaker Soirée

•  Friday, July 21, 2023
•  American Psychiatric Association Headquarters Penthouse, Washington, D.C.

This event will be an elevated evening dedicated to promoting awareness around the mental health inequities and opportunities for promoting mental health and well-being for youth of color.

Virtual Roundtable

•  July, TBA
•  Online

Join APA without leaving home for virtual conversations that give attendees the opportunity to gain a deeper understanding of mental health issues spanning from athletes, advocacy, community-based interventions, and beyond.

We hope you can join us for all that is to come this July – mark your calendars! But before you make your Bebe Moore Campbell National Minority Mental Health Awareness Month plans, hear from Campbell’s good friend, Linda Wharton Boyd, Ph.D., on what makes the month so special.