Activity Planning, Information and Resource Guide

We encourage and welcome organizations and individuals around the country to join us in raising awareness of mental illness, treatment and research in diverse communities during this month by speaking out and reaching your local communities. This guide provides suggestions and examples connected to available resources, planning worksheets and background information to help you recognize this month in ways big and small. Host local events and activities to include and honor your diverse community and/or speak out through social media outlets to spread the word. Click the image to access (right).

Activity Planning Worksheet

Tips for Sharing Your Story for National Minority Mental Health Awareness Month and Practice Sheet in Word format (See story examples here)
Sample Press Release / Muestra de comunicado de prensa
Sample mayoral or gubernatorial proclamation and cover letter
Sample letter seeking community partner support

Promotional posters

Available in English and Spanish in options of full page or with space to add local promotions and contact--simply click the images below to select, preview and save. Share through your electronic networks. Print in small sizes to post on a bulletin board near you or use our high-resolution PDF to print in larger sizes.

Link to poster with promo space en espanol

Link to full poster version 2 en espanol

Logos

Click the images below to download and add to any promotional effort electronically and/or in print materials. Use the logo to help unite our efforts across the country.

Videos

Promotional short video for National Minority Mental Health Awareness Month 2013

Short video featuring
African American NAMI leaders'
perspectives on mental health
recovery and support.
Released Feb. 2011

Short Spanish-language video with moving testimony from NAMI Latino leaders on the hope of recovery for families and individuals living with mental illness and how NAMI can support us.
Released Oct. 2011

Short video featuring
gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender NAMI leaders and supporters sharing their experiences and perspectives on mental health
recovery and support.
Released Oct. 2012

Amanda Wang, boxer, budding filmmaker, founder of RethinkBPD.

"This fight is the reason that I am alive" Hear the full audio.

Jessica Gimeno, host of the Balanced Mind Foundation's
Flipswitch podcast
programming for teens and 20-somethings tells her own story of experiences at the intersection of racism and stigma.

Masipula Sithole Jr. describes the power of music in healing and demonstrates with a kalimba (also known as a thumb piano) from his native Zimbabwe.

NAMI New Jersey's Documenting Our Presence: Multicultural Experiences of Mental Illness has been widely shown and embraced around the country. Watch the trailer and purchase the DVD here.

Click to access videos

Yashi Brown recitation of her mental illness themed poem dedicated to NAMI and Project Return Peer Support Network

New York Times profile of NAMI President, Keris Myrick from the 2011 series Lives Restored. Read the associated article.

NAMI's interview series with Latino leaders
in English and Spanish


Created with appreciation for all who joined us in ways big and small to help spread the word about National Minority Mental Health Awareness Month and take action in its name in 2012	Panel discussion held by Eight, Arizona PBS featuring Melinda Vasquez, Chief Officer of Cultural and Community Affairs for Cenpatico of Arizona, and Kurt Sheppard, CEO for Valle del Sol	Melissa Harris-Perry gives a shout-out to National Minority Mental Health Awarness Month in coverage of No Shame Day on MSNBC July 14, 2012

Webinar Recordings

Succeeding in Work and School; perspectives of successful young mental health advocates shared in celebratino of National Minority Mental Health Awareness Month 2012: Watch the webinar and download the slides. (held July 2012)
National Minority Mental Health Awareness Month Planning 2012: Watch the webinar and download the slides. (held June 2012)
Beefing Up Your Advocacy Efforts During Minority Mental Health Awareness Month Webinar Recording (held June 2011)
Preparing for National Minority Mental Health Awareness Month (April 2011)

Other Helpful Resources

NAMI’s Multicultural Action Center has available resources to help you successfully develop and implement organizational diversity and inclusion efforts, such as our Basic Steps for Successful Multicultural Outreach and the NAMI Multicultural Engagement and Inclusion Guide.

These materials provide a step-by-step approaches for reaching organizational goals of effective and inclusive reach of supportive programming and leadership opportunities for all individuals touched by mental illness. Additionally, the Multicultural Action Center provides a great variety of brochures and fact sheets that specifically focus on mental health issues in diverse communities. Access these resources here.

Previous issues of the Multicultural Action Center's former e-newsletter, Recovery for All, covering highlights and history of National Minority Mental Health Awareness Month:

July 2012, the final issue of the e-publication salutes National Minority Mental Health Awareness Month progress in social media
July 2011, full issue devoted to the month, highlighting activities around the country, perspectives of diverse NAMI leaders and new resources
August 2010 recap of events
August 2009 recap of events
August 2008 introduction of National Minority Mental Health Awareness Month

Contact the Multicultural Action Center if you would like permission to reprint or post any story in promotion of your local awareness campaign.

Back to main National Minority Mental Health Awareness Month page