CITY OF CHARLOTTESVILLE


                     PROCLAMATION

         NATIONAL MINORITY MENTAL HEALTH
           AWARENESS MONTH – JULY 2020

       WHEREAS, July has been designated as the National Minority Mental
Health Awareness Month in honor of Bebe Moore Campbell, an African
American author and journalist, who sought to eliminate mental health stigma
in the black community; and

       WHEREAS, historically African Americans have been and continue to
be negatively affected by racism, prejudice, bias and discrimination in the public
health care system; and

       WHEREAS, it is essential to eliminate racial disparities in mental health
by ensuring equity, access to quality care, culturally competent providers, and
services and supports that respect cultural experiences; and

       WHEREAS, Black Lives Matter and Black Mental Health Matters too.
The effect of racism and racial trauma on mental health is valid and should not
be disregarded. Racism undermines mental health, and we must continue the
work towards addressing individual, structural and systemic racism in our
community as it relates to mental health; and

       WHEREAS, organizations such as Brave Souls on Fire and the Central
Virginia Clinicians of Color Network (CVCCN) remain fully committed to
support and mental health advocacy for African Americans, including recent
collaborative efforts to establish a black mental health center;

       NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that I, Nikuyah
Walker, Mayor of the City of Charlottesville, and the Council of the City
of Charlottesville, do hereby proclaim July as Minority Mental Health
Awareness Month in Charlottesville, Virginia, thereby encouraging citizens
to help spread the word through awareness, education, support, advocacy and
commitment to equity.

      Signed and sealed this 20th day of July, 2020.



                                               _________________________
                                               Nikuyah Walker
                                               Mayor