National Minority Mental Health Month

Bebe Moore Campbell was an advocate who recognized, through her work with the National Alliance on Mental Illness, how injustices experienced by minority groups created barriers to them accessing and using mental health services. Campbell set out to change this narrative through revolutionary approaches to providing mental health care in underserved communities. In 2008, congress designated July as National Minority Mental Health Month (NMMHM) to raise awareness of mental illness and improve access to mental health services for racial and ethnic minority populations, in Campbell’s honor.

With today’s diverse military being made up of 31% non-white service members, VA recognizes the injustices that many minority Veterans have experienced, both in and out of uniform, and is taking intentional steps to right those wrongs through respectful, safe and trustworthy health care.

As a part of that mission, the Veteran’s Health Administration, Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, held a virtual summit aimed at “Fostering an Inclusive Culture of Dignity and Respect,” for VA employees and Veterans last month. VA staff from around the country learned how the power of diversity can provide solutions to complex problems, and how an inclusive and safe environment allows employees to perform at their maximum potential, resulting in the best, most effective care for all Veterans.

Chanda Corbett, PhD., participated in the summit and understands well the need to provide culturally responsive training to employees, and provide positive, corrective care experiences for minority Veterans who have experienced racial inequality that caused negative impacts to their mental health, and a deep lack of trust in the VA system designed to care for them.

As a psychologist at the Washington DC VA Medical Center’s Community Living Center, Corbett has spent 10 years caring for WWII, Korean, and Vietnam era Veterans. And while anyone can experience mental health struggles, she said it is well documented that non-white service members are more likely to develop PTSD from experiencing discrimination during their careers.

“Many of these minority group Veterans have been living in a society where they are marginalized. They have either experienced or witnessed racial injustice too often to believe that they will be treated with respect, and they may not feel safe seeking care,” said Corbett. “We are working to change that.”

The Mental Health Service at the Washington DC VA Medical Center offers support and resources to Veterans through the following groups:

• Drop-In Race Based Stress and Trauma Group
• Trauma Services Race Based Stress and Trauma Group
• PRRC Cultural Acceptance and Racial Empowerment (CARE) Group

“Our counselors, psychiatrists, psychologists, social workers, and nurses are being trained to deliver culturally responsive care. We help Veterans begin to trust in the VA and open up about their experiences,” said Corbett. “We want them to feel safe sharing their stories with us so that we can provide customized care that best suits them.”

As a psychologist, Corbett strives to provide positive experiences and culturally responsive care to rebuild trust in health care services for minority Veterans who have experienced injustices. As a member of the Washington DC VA Medical Center’s Mental Health Service Diversity Committee, she also strives to share her experience and knowledge with other VA employees by helping to provide:

• Diversity, equity, and inclusion educational resources and trainings
• Discussions about race, culture and identity’s impact on assessments, clinical care and team processes in team and consultation meetings
• Monthly Lean in Discussions about diversity and inclusion to increase cultural competency and cultural humility

“Veterans of color need allies. They need to believe that we recognize their service and sacrifice and that we are here to support them,” said Corbett. “VHA is taking intentional affirmative steps to help heal and right the wrongs of injustices that minorities have experienced, we invite you to join us in doing this important work to improve health equity which benefits us all.”

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To learn more about VA’s Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Initiative, visit Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Initiative (va.gov).

To learn more about Minority Health Care Services at VA, visit Center for Minority Veterans (CMV) (va.gov).