Join Us in Raising Awareness for These Causes in July

07/01/2020

By Deasia Lamar, Communications Intern

As mid-year approaches, it is important to reflect on the challenges that the first six months have brought. It is now vital to make changes to move forward with the year and find a new normal. Awareness events are a great opportunity to support patient advocates as we shift our focus towards the second half of the year. During these challenging times, it is essential to keep our focus on educating, promoting, advocating, and raising awareness for important causes. Here’s how you can help advance the mission of patient advocacy organizations and spread awareness in July.

Minority Mental Health Awareness Month

July is Minority Mental Health Awareness Month. Disparities exist for minority populations with mental health challenges, and during July we highlight the importance of equity in mental health treatment. The American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP) uses its voice and national platform to help elevate the voices of underrepresented racial and ethnic groups. AFSP is dedicated to addressing the mental health and suicide prevention needs among minority populations. The AFSP is committed to a process of change knowing that long-term, sustained efforts are needed to improve access to culturally informed, evidence-based quality mental health care through their minority mental health program.

Mental Health America (MHA) is also highlighting Minority Mental Health Awareness Month. MHA recognizes Bebe Moore Campbell as a mental health advocate who worked to shed light on the mental health needs of underrepresented communities. The MHA uses Minority Mental Health Awareness Month as an opportunity to shed light on mental health experiences within diverse communities using an intersectional lens to highlight individuals who may be overlooked. By using an intersectional lens on mental health, the MHA is underscoring the need to address mental health issues with a unique lens while integrating the varied needs of diverse communities.

Ways to get involved:

Juvenile Arthritis Awareness Month

July is Juvenile Arthritis Awareness Month. One in every 1,000 children develop a type of chronic arthritis during childhood. This is an issue that affects nearly 300,000 children in the U.S. every year. The Arthritis Foundation provides online resources and information to help juvenile arthritis patients and family navigate through this condition. The Arthritis Foundation is dedicated to standing along-side those in the U.S. who are affected by juvenile arthritis and related pediatric rheumatic diseases through their organization. 

Ways to get involved:

World Hepatitis Day (July 28)

Join the American Liver Foundation in celebrating World Hepatitis Day this year on July 28, 2020. Hepatitis is a disease that involves the inflammation in the liver and can be caused by toxins, certain drugs, heavy alcohol use, the autoimmune system, or viral infections. As of 2019, 5.3 million Americans have chronic Hepatitis B or Hepatitis C infections. Nine out of 10 people with viral hepatitis are unaware of their hepatitis infection. The  American Liver Foundation (ALF) is dedicated to helping and informing those with liver diseases like Hepatitis through the resources including support groups, clinical trials and  palliative care information.

Ways to get involved: