Mayor Kenneth T. Welch Declares July as National BIPOC Mental Health Awareness Month in St. Petersburg

Proclamation Presented During The Well's 2023 Healing While Black Summit

July 5, 2023 - Mayor Kenneth T. Welch of St. Petersburg will proclaim July as Bebe Moore Campbell National BIPOC Mental Health Awareness Month in the city, emphasizing the significance of mental health within minority communities. This proclamation aligns with a national movement to raise awareness, promote understanding, and provide support for mental health issues among minority populations. Mayor Welch's declaration underscores the commitment of St. Petersburg to prioritize the mental well-being of its diverse residents. The presentation is scheduled for Friday, July 7, at 9:00 a.m. at Miller Auditorium at Eckerd College (4200 54th Ave S).

"The proclamation of National BIPOC Mental Health Awareness Month in St. Petersburg, coupled with the Healing While Black Summit 2023, demonstrates the City's commitment to promoting mental well-being and creating a community that supports and uplifts its diverse communities," said Mayor Welch.

Mayor Welch's proclamation coincides with the 6th Annual Healing While Black Summit (HWB23), organized by The Well, a community-based mental health organization founded by residents of St. Petersburg. This transformative event will take place from July 6-9, 2023, celebrating National Minority Mental Health Month with a special focus on the theme "Joy is the Assignment." The Healing While Black Summit celebrates and promotes joy as an essential element of mental health and well-being.

"We are worthy of joy. It is a powerful tool that fuels our resistance, resilience and restoration," said Dr. LaDonna Butler, Founder of The Well. "In recognition of National BIPOC Mental Health Month, The Healing While Black Summit, presented by The Well, affirms the presence, purpose, power, and pursuit of joy as necessary for our collective well-being."

The Healing While Black Summit brings together renowned industry professionals, community leaders, and individuals with lived experiences to explore joy-centered strategies, innovative approaches to trauma, fostering well-being, and cultivating resilience within minority communities. With both in-person and virtual attendance options, the summit aims to ensure inclusivity and accessibility for all.

The summit features a diverse range of events and activities, including professional and community development conferences, thought-provoking panel discussions, uplifting leadership luncheons, inspiring art walks, and the vibrant "Experience Joy Noire" celebration, which showcases the intersection of joy, art, and advocacy. For more information about the Healing While Black Summit 2023 and to register for the event, please visit the official website at www.thewellforlife.org/hwb.

About National Minority Mental Health Awareness Month:
National Minority Mental Health Awareness Month serves as a vital platform to address the unique mental health challenges faced by minority communities and promote equitable access to mental health services. By proclaiming July as the official month of recognition, Mayor Welch emphasizes the importance of destigmatizing mental health issues and fostering an environment of empathy, understanding, and support.

About The Well (www.thewellforlife.org):
The Well is a community-based organization founded by residents of St. Petersburg, Fla. It aims to create inclusive spaces and opportunities for healing, empowerment, and well-being for communities of color. The Well's mission is to connect, engage, equip, and empower individuals and communities to live safe, free, and well. The organization achieves this through training and development, alliance building, and strategic healing-centered civic, clinical, and community practice. It acknowledges and affirms the legacies of trauma, resistance, resilience, and the necessity of joy. The Well envisions a community that is liberated, happy, and living well.

Throughout July, The Well will collaborate with community organizations, mental health professionals, and local advocates to raise awareness, foster dialogue, and provide educational opportunities regarding mental health issues within minority communities. These collaborative efforts aim to eliminate barriers and create an environment where individuals feel safe and supported in seeking help and accessing the resources they need.