The U.S. health care system has long neglected minority mental health. It continues to do so during this time of coronavirus-wrought isolation, economic hardship, and social unrest. Paying homage to he-roes and she-roes in the long struggle for equal rights in mental health care offers hope.
One such beacon of light is Bebe Moore Campbell, a prolific writer, historian, rhythmic storyteller, and advocate for equitable mental health treatment and services.
Campbell’s novel, “72 Hour Hold,” a New York Times bestseller in 2006, detailed the epic struggle of mothers and fathers who faced a perilous fight against an unjust mental health system. The events chronicled in the book experienced by fictional characters are inspired by real-life warriors: parents who were willing to confront forces that prioritized white privilege and not colored pain.
This landmark work, along with her book for children, “Sometimes My Mommy Gets Angry,” illuminates the struggles of Black and brown individuals plagued by mental health conditions. The characters experience incarceration, economic hurdles, and stigma in their journey from illness to wellness, exposing a convoluted struggle for equity in access to care. Campbell, a stalwart visionary for mental health education, awareness, and advocacy, revealed that the mental health system was fractured at its core.
Her desire to promote mental health equality stemmed from her experience as a mother to a bipolar child. Her daughter, Maia Campbell, was a successful young actress in the 90s. Unfortunately, she was unwilling to accept any help or voluntary treatment for her disorder. Sadly, Bebe Moore Campbell died from brain cancer in 2006. Years later, Maia Campbell said that her mother’s death hit her hard. Although, at the time of her death, mother and daughter were said to be estranged.
Campbell will forever be remembered as an integral part of the fight for justice for Black Americans in the mental health system. Her legacy is a bountiful source of hope for America’s elimination of the stigmas surrounding mental health.
Organizations like Innovative Life Healthcare share that focus. ILH admires Campbell’s storytelling because it sheds light on the lives and experiences of people in our community suffering from mental illnesses. We salute Bebe Moore Campbell and work to share mental health stories with mainstream audiences.