How to Show Support During Minority Mental Health Awareness Month

July marks Minority Mental Health Awareness Month, a national observance that highlights the mental health challenges faced by racially and ethnically diverse populations. For educators and school leaders, it’s a powerful opportunity to reflect on how our systems support (or fail to support) students of color who are navigating both academic pressures and mental health needs.

At Pediatric Therapeutic Services (PTS), we believe that all students deserve access to mental health services that are inclusive, culturally responsive, and rooted in educational equity. As a trusted partner to schools and districts, we support the development of comprehensive mental health programs that prioritize early intervention, collaboration, and student voice.

Why Minority Mental Health Awareness Month Matters

This month was established in honor of author and advocate Bebe Moore Campbell, who brought national attention to the ways communities of color are underserved in mental health care. Today, the need for awareness, advocacy, and action remains urgent—especially within school systems, where access to support can shape a child’s long-term well-being.

Students from minority backgrounds often face multiple barriers to care, including:

• Stigma within their communities, which may discourage seeking help
• Language and cultural disconnects between families and providers
• Limited provider representation, reducing trust and relatability
• Misdiagnosis or underdiagnosis due to systemic bias

These obstacles can lead to increased behavioral referrals, lower academic performance, and chronic absenteeism—all of which impact a student’s educational trajectory.

The Data Behind Racial and Ethnic Gaps in Student Mental Health Care

Disparities in youth mental health care remain a significant concern—especially for students of color navigating systems that too often overlook or misinterpret their needs.

Racial and ethnic disparities persist at every stage of the mental health care process, including diagnosis, access to care, and treatment follow-through. According to a 2024 study published by the American Academy of Pediatrics, non-Hispanic Black children are 56% more likely than non-Hispanic white children to have unmet mental health care needs.*

These disparities are especially troubling in school settings, where students of color may already face increased disciplinary action, lower rates of service referral, and cultural or linguistic disconnects with school-based providers. When mental health needs go unmet, students are more likely to experience chronic absenteeism, academic struggles, and social isolation.

How Schools Can Show Support in Meaningful Ways

Supporting minority students’ mental health doesn’t require a new program or policy—it requires a commitment to equity, reflection on current practices, and the willingness to build better systems of care.

Here are several ways schools can take action:

• Provide culturally responsive training. Equip counselors, psychologists, and staff with trauma-informed, anti-bias, and inclusive mental health strategies.
• Increase provider diversity. Whenever possible, partner with mental health professionals who reflect the student population’s backgrounds and experiences.
• Create safe, identity-affirming spaces. Support student affinity groups, mental wellness clubs, or peer-led initiatives that elevate diverse voices.
• Engage families as partners. Offer mental health resources in multiple languages and prioritize open dialogue, not just service referrals.
• Use data to identify and address inequities. Track access, outcomes, and disciplinary trends—and adjust supports accordingly.

Each of these steps contributes to a healthier school climate where all students feel emotionally safe and academically empowered.

Partner With PTS to Provide Equitable Mental Health Services

At PTS, we help schools deliver inclusive, outcomes-driven care through a Multi-Tiered Systems of Support (MTSS) framework. From Tier 1 school-wide prevention to Tier 3 individualized care, our approach ensures that services are culturally responsive, data-informed, and equitable.

Contact us today to expand mental health access and build school cultures where all students feel safe, valued, and empowered to succeed, year-round.

* Source