July was Black, Indigenous, People of Colour (BIPOC) Mental Health Month, and even though July has ended, the fight to support BIPOC mental health is ongoing and requires attention. BIPOC Mental Health Month is a dedicated time to raise awareness and prioritise the mental health needs of Black, Indigenous, and People of Color communities across the globe. Read on to learn about various initiatives here in North America that cater to BIPOC youth mental health and amplify their needs, are culturally aware, destigmatize mental health discussions, and foster a more inclusive and equitable approach to mental wellness for diverse communities.

1. SOCH Mental Health Initiative is a Canada-based movement aimed at destigmatizing mental health issues and related discourse within South Asian communities based in Canada. SOCH offers services and resources in multiple South Asian languages and is focused on education and building resiliency among young adults and seniors through social campaigns, and virtual and in-person events.

2. The Bengali Mental Health Movement (BMHM) is another grassroots initiative based in the United States dedicated to promoting mental wellbeing and breaking the silence surrounding mental health issues within the Bengali community in North America. They further provide resources and programs specifically tailored to the needs of Bengali youth, such as workshops, peer support groups, podcasts, and awareness campaigns, raising awareness about mental health issues, reducing stigma, and promoting self care and resilience among young Bengali individuals.

3. The Asian Mental Health Collective aims to dismantle cultural stigmas, increase mental health literacy, and promote culturally relevant approaches to mental wellness for individuals of Asian descent in North America. Through their Facebook group, resource library, video web series, and meet up groups, AMHC aims to provide mental health support that is easily available, approachable, and accessible. They address cultural stigmas, increase mental health literacy, and promote culturally relevant approaches to mental wellness for individuals of Asian descent. 

4. Naseeha Mental Health is a Canada based initiative which provides culturally sensitive mental health support for Muslim youth and their families. The organisation recognizes the unique challenges faced by Muslim youth in navigating their mental health, such as identity conflicts and societal pressures. They aim to provide a safe and non-judgemental zone for Muslim youth, and offer mental health support through calls and texts at 1 (866) 627-3342, 7 days a week, 12PM till 3AM EST. 

5. Across Boundaries promotes mental health equity and addresses the unique needs of racialized communities in Toronto, Canada. With a focus on serving individuals from African, Caribbean, and Black (ACB) communities, Across Boundaries provides culturally responsive and anti-oppressive mental health services, such as culturally responsive counselling, therapy services, educational programs, workshops, and support groups that address the unique challenges faced by racialized youth.

6. Wabano is an Indigenous health centre located in Ottawa, Canada, dedicated to improving the physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual well-being of Indigenous individuals and communities. Wabano offers youth-centred counselling and therapy services addressing mental health concerns, unique experiences and needs of Indigenous youth. They provide opportunities for youth to engage in cultural activities, such as traditional arts, language revitalization, and land-based learning, fostering a sense of identity, pride, and connection to their heritage.

7. Nalgona Positivity Pride (NPP) is “an unconventional eating disorder awareness organisation” that celebrates body positivity, self-love, and cultural empowerment within the Latinx, Indigenous communities, and communities of colour (BICC) who struggle with disordered eating and body image. NPP provides education, consulting services, and peer support groups on Zoom (note that the Eating Disorder Harm Reduction Circle is open to white participants) to prioritise community based awareness and resources for marginalised populations.

8. The Support Network for Indigenous Women and Women of Colour (SNIWWOC) is a non-profit organisation based out of Victoria, British Columbia, that provides a safe and inclusive space for BIPOC women, youth, and children to connect and access support. SNIWWOC offers  peer-support groups, counselling services, empowerment workshops, alongside community building initiatives, advocacy, and cultural programming. By creating a supportive network, the organisation promotes collective healing and strives towards a more equitable and inclusive society for all women of diverse backgrounds.

9. The South Asian Canadians Health and Social Services (SACHSS) focuses on providing essential health and social support to individuals of South Asian descent in Canada. SACHSS supports the well-being of South Asian youth by providing culturally relevant resources, workshops, and educational opportunities that address the mental health, social, and identity challenges faced by the youth.

10. The Hong Fook Mental Health Association is a non-profit organisation based in Toronto, Canada, that focuses on providing mental health support and services to the East Asian community and diaspora. The association offers various culturally sensitive and linguistically appropriate programs and initiatives to support youth mental health, such as counselling and therapy services, youth support groups, workshops and education on topics related to mental wellness and health, and accessible online resources.

11. S.U.C.C.E.S.S. is a British Columbia based organisation that provides comprehensive support to immigrant and refugee communities. Their services encompass various aspects of settlement, education, employment, and community integration. For youth, they provide tailored settlement services, educational support, mentorship programs, leadership development, cultural activities, and mental health resources and workshops, recognizing the unique challenges they may face during their settlement journey. 

This blog is a summarised list of the organisations - more information is available on their respective websites. Furthermore, this list is only a portion of the currently active initiatives across North America catering to youth mental wellness and health.