How to find resources this Minority Mental Health Awareness Month

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WOOD) — July is National Minority Mental Health Awareness Month , a time to learn and advocate about the issues racial and ethnic minorities face.

“In communities of color, there can be even greater issues of stigma, greater issues with access. Finding a provider that meets your cultural needs and is responsive to your culture can be challenging,” Enid Gaddis, the director of equity and inclusion at Arbor Circle, explained. “So it’s really important for all providers to be responsive in their service delivery.”

Arbor Circle offers mental health resources in 11 locations across West Michigan, including in Grand Rapids, Holland, Muskegon, Allegan and Newaygo.

“We are in schools, we are in homes providing mental health services to individuals and families,” Gaddis said. “Within our services we have over 50 programs , so there are a variety of things a person may need and they could be referred to several services or just one.”

There are also resources through Community of Hearts , which was founded by Kent County Commissioner Monica Sparks. Sparks also owns a medical spa called the Better Body Bar in Kentwood. She knows firsthand the importance of mental health and self-care.

“I had cancer five years ago. Thank God, I am cancer-free now, but I noticed back then it is very expensive to take care of yourself. And I didn’t see anyone of color in this space so I said, ‘Let’s do this,’” Sparks said.

Sparks’ Mobile Happy Lights Wellness Relaxation Station has “wellness Wednesdays” aimed at reducing anxiety, stress and tension.

“We are listed on Harvard University’s website as a mobile mental health clinic. People can do a massage, head and neck, back scratching, which is fun, reflexology we do on board and we give out self-care kits,” Sparks said.

The station works to help people become a mental health advocate for themselves and others.

“The self-care kits are just information that the community can use to become a mental health advocate. You can go on our website (to take a) mental health training course … and it’s free,” Sparks said.

Mental health can be a journey, so it’s important to reach out however you can.

“Sometimes it’s talking to a professional, other times it’s talking to a close friend or engaging in an activity that we enjoy. To turn and talk to a professional is very courageous and sometimes people need someone to walk alongside us,” Gaddis said.

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