Honoring the legacy of storytelling in BIPOC mental health
- Daniela Scholl
- Jul 1
- 2 min read
Dr. Andrea Rodgers, ThD, Director of Development, Hegira Health, Inc.
July 1, 2025
This year’s 2025 theme for Bebe Moore Campbell National Minority Mental Health Awareness Month, “In Every Story, There’s Strength” resonates deeply. It reminds us that our stories, both painful and powerful, are also instruments of healing. They are declarations of survival, resistance, and connection. To tell one’s story is to say, “I am still here. And I matter.”
As a psychologist, a faith-based individual, and an African American woman, I reflect on this theme with deep personal conviction. Our communities face unique and often invisible mental health challenges. The stories matter. The burdens of these challenges are compounded by historical trauma, systemic inequities, cultural stigma, and a society that often requires our productivity before it acknowledges our humanity.
To truly honor this month, we must do more than raise awareness, we must take action. That means prioritizing the mental well-being of underrepresented groups. That means advocating for access, representation, and safe spaces. And that means listening, truly listening to the stories of those who have been marginalized, silenced, or mislabeled.
If you or someone you care about is struggling with mental health or substance use issues contact Hegira Health call 734-458-4601 or visit www.hegirahealth.org.
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About the author
Andrea Rodgers, ThD, is the Director of Development for Hegira Health, Inc., a leading provider of behavioral healthcare services with clinic locations in Western Wayne and the Downriver communities. Visit www.hegirahealth.org.
