Minority Mental Health Month: We Cannot Separate Mental Health from Health Equity
Posted: July 3, 2026
By Harold Phillips, CEO, NMAC
Throughout my career fighting for health equity, I have learned that we cannot improve physical health without addressing mental health. National Minority Mental Health Month reminds us that too many people in communities of color carry invisible burdens—stress, trauma, discrimination, isolation, and grief—while also facing barriers to affordable, accessible, and culturally responsive care.
At NMAC, Whole Person Health is one of our strategic priorities because we know that health is about more than treating disease. It means recognizing that our mental, physical, emotional, and social well-being are deeply connected. Whether we are talking about HIV, aging, chronic disease, or HIV/STI prevention, we cannot achieve health equity without investing in the whole person.
I know that asking for help isn’t always easy. Many of us were raised to push through pain, to keep our struggles private, or to believe that seeking support is a sign of weakness. It isn’t. Strength is recognizing when you need help and having the courage to reach for it.
This month, I encourage you to make your mental health a priority. Check in with someone you care about. Take time to rest and recharge. Connect with your community. And if you need support, seek it without shame. We all deserve care that honors our experiences and affirms our humanity.
Our call to action is simple but urgent: let’s work together to end the stigma surrounding mental health, expand access to culturally responsive care, and advocate for policies that invest in the wellness of every community. Health equity will never be achieved if mental health is left behind.
Together, we can build a future where every person has the opportunity not only to survive, but to flourish.