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Montgomery County Council proclaims July as National Minority Mental Health Awareness Month
Summary
County leaders and health providers marked National Minority Mental Health Awareness Month on July 9, highlighting gaps in services for BIPOC and AAPI residents and urging expanded funding for mobile crisis teams, school-based counselors and culturally competent care.
The Montgomery County Council on July 9 read a proclamation recognizing National Minority Mental Health Awareness Month and heard brief remarks from dozens of local health providers and initiative leaders about gaps in services and the need for culturally competent care.
Council members who sponsored the proclamation said the observance aims to normalize conversations about mental health in BIPOC and LGBTQIA+ communities and to press for expanded resources. "This year, and every year, the theme is about the mental health journey," a council member said during opening remarks, calling for increased funding for mobile crisis outreach teams and more psychologists and counselors in schools.
Representatives from a range of county programs and nonprofit partners introduced themselves and summarized services. Candita Hines, speaking for the African American Health Program, listed maternal and infant supports, diabetes and heart-health screenings, brief counseling and group therapy offered free of charge and emphasized work to "break down the stigma surrounding mental health" in the community. Sanjana Gassen, program manager for the Asian American Health Initiative, cited CDC data and said AAPI communities face low utilization of mental health services and high needs among youth and older adults. Mariana Sarani, manager of the Latino Health Initiative, cited county statistics and said Hispanic adults were "56 percent less likely than white adults to receive mental health services."
Council Member Sales, the council's lead on eliminating disparities in public health, thanked partners and outlined county responses that include a 24-hour crisis center, mobile crisis teams and school-based health and wellness centers. "Please know that you have an ally here in me," Sales said, urging continued support for nonprofit partners and county services.
The proclamation text cited national research and local disparity-mapping work that identified mental health hotspots by ZIP code in Montgomery County and called on officials and residents to promote access, reduce stigma and support providers. The council presented the proclamation, noting it was signed by council members Jawando and Sales and Council President Friedson.
The event closed with the council thanking the many community organizations in attendance; no formal council action was taken beyond the ceremonial proclamation.
