In honor of July being Minority Mental Health Month, we’re standing with organizations like Mental Health America and proclaiming that mental illness is #NotACharacterFlaw.
Mental health stigma is unfortunately prevalent throughout the world. That stigma can look and sound different in every community. Myths and misconceptions – that mental health issues are taboo or just weaknesses – can be passed down through generations, preventing those struggling from asking for help. Cultural traditions can also play a role in how each community perceives and copes with mental health and treatment of related issues.
For marginalized communities, stigma is not the only thing that can prevent those struggling from getting the help they need to heal. In addition to the cultural stigma, many communities face significant barriers in accessibility to mental health services including health coverage and lower quality care.
To quote the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI), “This Minority Mental Health month, we are reminded that conditions do not discriminate based on race, color, gender or identity. However, accessing care can be challenging, as opportunities to get help are not always equally available.”
This is why it’s important we raise awareness of the truths about mental health, move conversations beyond hushed whispers, and create safe places for everyone to experience healing – no matter your background or identity.
Fighting stigma and normalizing mental health conditions and treatments requires all of us to raise our voices. Share our stories. And be a safe place for yourself and others.
Join us in raising our voices in support of our friends, family members, neighbors, and coworkers to normalize mental health conditions and treatments. Join us in being a safe place for a loved one.
If you’re looking to start the conversation in your community but don’t know where to start, Mental Health America has compiled information on mental health issues impacting different minority groups to help make that conversation easier. They’ve also provided materials in Spanish. Click here to view.
Summer Community Events
COMPTON + LYNWOOD + PARAMOUNT
July 27, 2017
6:30 PM – 8:30 PM
City of Paramount Summer Concert
Progress Park, 15500 Downey Ave, Paramount, CA 90723
Come on out with family and friends and enjoy music al fresco at Progress Park this summer! The City of Paramount’s 2nd annual summer concert series will run over six consecutive Thursdays. The shows are free. It’s festival-style seating so remember to bring chairs and blankets. It will be a summer of spectacular sounds featuring a variety of genres from the following bands:
* July 27: Lil’ Mo and the Dynaflows (50s Rock)
* August 3: Stone Soul (Classic Soul & Motown)
* August 10: Mariachi Divas (Mariachi)
July 29, 2017
7:00 PM – 8:30 PM
Free Summer Campfires in The Park
Compton Creek Natural Park At Greorge Washington Elementary, 941 W Cressey St, Compton, California 90222
Campfires in the park are back! Community Nature Connection, in partnership with the Mountains Recreation Conservation Authority (MRCA), will be returning to Compton Creek Natural Park to provide an evening of campfire songs, skits, and family fun! Community Nature Connection will provide free marshmallows for you to roast over a campfire. This event is FREE! All are welcomed to join!
Aug. 19, 2017
3:00 PM – 7:00 PM
Art as Healing: Art Workshops & Open Mic
The Lynwood Union Gallery, 3780 Martin Luther King Jr BLVD, Lynwood, California 90262
Art as Healing brings together artists and community members from South East Los Angeles to create art to heal and grow. There will be free rotating art workshops followed by lunch to all participants, and an open mic.
LONG BEACH
July 29-30, 2017
9:15 AM – 5:00 PM
2017 Long Beach Dragon Boat Festival
Long Beach Marine Stadium, 5255 E Paoli Way, Long Beach, California 90803
Enjoy the largest dragon boat festival in California! There will be Chinese traditional art demonstrations, Chinese Acrobats, traditional dance, hip hop, music and martial arts performances. More information at www.lbdragonboat.com!
Aug. 1, 2017
11:30 AM – 1:00 PM
Long Beach Towne Center, 7575 Carson Blvd, Long Beach, California 90808
Head over to the Long Beach Towne Center for a Sponge Out of Water Party in front of Edwards Long Beach Stadium 26 on Tuesday, August 1st. SpongeBob Squarepants Sponge Out of Water will be showing at the theater at 10:00 AM for $1 and will immediately be followed by the Sponge Out of Water Party! If you view the movie or not, stop by for free face painting, balloon art, crafts, giveaways, and tons of fun!
Aug. 12, 2017
12:00 PM – 3:00 PM
Drake Park, 951 Maine Ave, Long Beach 90813
Join Building Healthy Communities: Long Beach and our partner organizations for JustLBC 2017: a day of art, music & social justice for a more just Long Beach. #JUSTLBC is a community gathering organized to bring together and engage Long Beach residents around creative expression for health equity and social justice. #JUSTLBC will bring people from all walks of life together to creatively explore arts, culture, and community organizing that can inspire and motivate change. Free food & admission, live performances, art activities, and giveaway prizes! For more information, visit bhclongbeach.org/justlbc.
If you like watching Movies on the Beach, check out the schedule for all movies screened at local beaches every Tuesday and Thursday throughout the summer.
And don’t forget to check out the Movies in the Park, sponsored by Signal Hill Petroleum, throughout the summer! Free movies, free popcorn and 30 movies at 29 different parks throughout the cities of Long Beach and Signal Hill. Check out the flier for all the different showings:
SAN PEDRO
July 22, 2017
Family Sandcastle Building Day
10:00 AM – 3:00 PM
Cabrillo Marine Aquarium, 3720 Stephen M White Dr, San Pedro, California 90731
Relive your favorite memories and create new ones during Family Sandcastle Building Day! All you need to bring is your best sandcastle building tools and your castle creativity to this fun beach event. The sand on Cabrillo Beach will be thoroughly wet down to prepare for sand construction; the rest is up to you!
Aug. 4, 2017
Port of Los Angeles Presents a Movie on the Water: Finding Dory
6:30 PM – 9:30 PM
South Crescent Avenue and Miner Street, San Pedro
Enjoy a free outdoor showing of the popular Disney Pixar movie, Finding Dory, at Crescent Ave. and Miner St in San Pedro, hosted by the Port of Los Angeles. Family activities begin at 6:30 p.m., with the movie starting at 8:10 p.m.
Aug. 13, 2017
CicLAvia – San Pedro meets Wilmington
9:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Get ready for a brand new CicLAvia route! On Sunday, August 13, San Pedro and Wilmington will host the country’s largest open streets event! Streets will be closed to cars and open for cyclists, pedestrians, runners and skaters to use as a recreational space.