Celebrating National Minority Mental Health Month By Kinyel Friday

July is Bebe Moore Campbell National Minority Mental Health Awareness Month. Bebe Moore Campbell was an African American author and journalist who wrote books such as The 72 Hour Hold to address the impact of racism and minority mental health. By challenging the status quo, she advocated for voices to be heard and for healing and equitable resources and spaces. 

In 2008, two years after Moore Campbell passed, July was declared “Bebe Moore Campbell National Minority Mental Health Month” (H.Con.Res. 134) to achieve two primary goals: increase access to treatment and services, and enhance awareness of mental illness in underserved communities.

Reading and writing are two beneficial strategies many use to reduce anxiety, improve mood, and as an overall coping mechanism. A captivating book will take your mind on a journey far from what may cause distress, whether you are learning new things, wishing you weren’t in a fictional character’s shoes, or finding a story that encourages you to take action.

According to Richard Sima’s 2022 Psychology Today article “The Mental Health Benefits of Reading,” reading fiction may increase social cognition and empathy. Children may better understand their place in the world, especially if texts are thematically relevant and the characters reflect on similar personal experiences, which can comfort readers, knowing they aren’t alone. 

This is a prime example of why it’s important for children to see themselves represented in books. It encourages a sense of belonging and validates their experiences, feelings, challenges, and joys. What better way to foster a love of reading than picking up a book by someone who looks like you and shares a similar experience?

This month, we honor Bebe Moore Campbell and other diverse authors who have written books about mental health. Here’s a short list of books to add to your and your family’s TBR.

Books for Adults

72-Hour Hold by Bebe Moore Campbell - A story about a mother coping with her daughter’s bipolar depression diagnosis and a broken mental health care system.

The Color of Hope: People of Color Mental HealthNarratives by Vanessa Hazzard and Iresha Picot - A literary project that sheds light on mental health in communities of color by sharing stories from those affected by mental illness.

Who is Wellness For? by Fariha Róisín - Part memoir, part journalistic investigation, Róisín explores how the progressive health industry has appropriated and commodified global healing traditions. She reveals how wellness culture has become a luxury good built on the wisdom of Black, brown, and Indigenous people—while ignoring and excluding them.

The Collected Schizophrenias by Esmé Weijun Wang - An essay collection of undeniable power that dispels misconceptions and offers insight into a highly misunderstood condition.

Books for Children and Youth

Sometimes My Mommy Gets Angry by Bebe Moore Campbell - Annie copes with her mother's mental illness with the help of her grandmother and friends.

Home Home by Lisa Allen-Agostini - A girl on the verge of losing herself and the unlikely journey to recovery after she is removed from everything and everyone she knows to be home. 

Forever is Now by Mariama J. Lockington - School’s out, and even though she's been struggling to manage her chronic anxiety, Sadie’s hopeful better times are ahead. When her friend reveals some unexpected news, and they witness police brutality unfold before them, Sadie's whole world is upended.

I Am Not Alone by Francisco X. Stork - Alberto is an undocumented immigrant from Mexico living in New York City and is suspected of a terrible crime. His friend Grace is a top student with every advantage and is determined to prove Alberto's innocence.

What SCBWI Members Can Do

Donate time learning about how mental health facilities affect Black and brown people’s access and the type of care they receive.

Donate time to reading, buying, and recommending books by Black and brown authors to support and better understand what we face.

Donate to organizations that recognize underrepresented groups and do their due diligence in helping the cause and actively promoting the destigmatization of mental illness.

• What books would you add to the list? 
• What actions do you already take? 
• Who can you share this information with today?

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Kinyel Friday's publishing career began with writing books for children ("Believe in Me" series, I Feel You, and Night-Night Nina). She paused to publish a novel for adults (Let the Church Say). Book Four in the "Believe in Me" series will hit the shelves July 2026.

Kinyel earned a B.A. in Psychology, and a Masters in Social Work and in English (with a specialty in Creative Writing). She began her career as a School Social Worker and later accomplished her dream of becoming a published author. Besides becoming a professional organizer, Kinyel loves to read, write compelling stories, shop, and watch movies. She braves the unforgiving winters in Michigan with her family.

KinYori Books LLC is a self-publishing company that produces books and other products to empower Black families. The mission is to promote literacy among Black families, while encouraging children to love themselves while they’re young. KinYori Books aims to change the narrative by creating stories that feature Black protagonists in books, as well as on the covers; deliver stories through a social work lens; entertain adults through fiction; and provide positive images for children.