Provider Quality

Each July, National Minority Mental Health Awareness Month calls on us to recognize the disproportionate impact of mental illness on racial and ethnic minority communities—and to recommit to breaking down the systemic barriers that stand in the way of healing.

At the Center for Comprehensive Health Practice (CCHP), we understand that mental wellness is essential to overall health. For over 65 years, our Harlem-based organization has worked to provide culturally responsive, family-centered care to some of New York City’s most underserved neighborhoods.

Today, the mental health challenges facing these communities, particularly youth of color, are more urgent than ever. National data shows that multiracial adolescents experience the highest rates of major depressive disorder (MDD), yet youth who are Latinx, Black, Asian, or multiracial are significantly less likely to receive the care they need. These disparities highlight long-standing inequities and underscore the need for strong, community-based solutions that ensure timely, culturally responsive mental health services for all young people.

With support from Fidelis Care, we are expanding our integrated adolescent mental health model to better serve youth in our community. In honor of Mental Health Awareness Month, Fidelis Care awarded $149,000 in behavioral health grants to nine organizations across New York State, including CCHP. These grants support the integration of behavioral health and primary care, helping organizations like ours close critical care gaps in historically underserved communities.

With this grant, CCHP is scaling up our screening of adolescents and young adults for behavioral health and substance use concerns during routine wellness visits. We are expanding access to individual and group counseling tailored to meet the needs of youth in East Harlem. This investment enables us to identify mental health concerns earlier, respond more effectively, and provide compassionate, culturally affirming care within the trusted setting of primary care.

In the spirit of National Minority Mental Health Awareness Month, we’re highlighting Five Steps Adolescents and Young Adults of Color Can Take to Support Their Mental Health:

1. Embrace Your Cultural Identity as a Source of Strength
   Your cultural background is a vital part of who you are—and it can serve as a powerful source of pride, resilience, and healing. Culturally responsive care that honors your identity and emphasizes the importance of acknowledging and integrating cultural identity into mental health practices, which can enhance your emotional well-being and sense of belonging.
    
2. Talk About Mental Health—Even When It Feels Taboo
   In many communities of color, mental health is still stigmatized. But speaking openly about your experiences helps break harmful silence and encourages others to seek help too. Your voice can be a catalyst for change.
    
3. Seek Out Culturally Competent Care
   Find providers who understand your lived experience—who respect your language, values, and history. Culturally competent care is not just supportive; it’s essential to receiving meaningful and effective treatment.
    
4. Find Community in Safe, Empowering Spaces
   Connection matters. Whether it’s with peers, mentors, or community organizations like CCHP, safe spaces rooted in shared experience can help you feel validated, supported, and empowered.
    
5. Honor Your Emotions and Get Help Early
   Your feelings are valid. Reaching out—especially early on—can prevent deeper struggles and lead to better outcomes. Asking for help is a sign of self-awareness and strength.

Mental health equity for youth of color is not optional, it’s essential. At CCHP, we remain committed to providing care that is inclusive, affirming, and grounded in the cultural realities of the young people we serve. Because when minority youth are seen, heard, and supported, they don’t just survive, they thrive.

If you or someone you know needs support, call us at 212-360-7700 or visit www.cchphealth.org. Help is here, and hope is possible.