Honoring Juneteenth
Each year on June 19, communities across the country gather to recognize Juneteenth — a deeply significant day that commemorates the end of slavery in the United States. On this day in 1865, more than two years after the Emancipation Proclamation was signed, the last remaining enslaved African Americans in Galveston, Texas were finally informed of their freedom.
Juneteenth is a day of celebration, remembrance, and reflection. It’s a powerful reminder of how far we've come — and how much work remains to ensure justice, equity, and healing for all. At the Mental Wellness Campaign for Anoka County (MWCAC), we also see Juneteenth as a meaningful moment to highlight the connection between racial equity and mental health.
The Ongoing Impact of Historical Trauma
While Juneteenth represents a monumental moment in American history, the legacy of slavery, systemic racism, and exclusion continues to impact Black communities today — including in the area of mental health.
Generational trauma, discrimination, and unequal access to quality care have all contributed to disparities in mental health outcomes for Black Americans. According to the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI), Black adults in the U.S. are more likely to experience serious mental health conditions — and less likely to receive proper treatment or culturally responsive care.
Recognizing this truth is an important step toward collective healing.
Mental Health is a Human Right
Juneteenth is about freedom — and true freedom includes mental and emotional well-being. It includes the right to heal, the right to feel safe, the right to access support without stigma, and the right to thrive.
Mental health care that acknowledges racial identity, lived experience, and community context is essential to justice. We must continue working to make space for Black voices in mental health conversations, remove barriers to care, and promote services that are inclusive and affirming.
Taking Action in Our Community
Here in Anoka County, we encourage everyone to use Juneteenth not only as a day of celebration, but also as a call to action. Learn, listen, and advocate for mental health equity. Support local Black-led organizations. Share mental health resources in your community. And check in — with yourself, with your neighbors, and with the young people around you.
Mental wellness is community wellness. When we support each other, we all rise.
Resources to Explore:
Local culturally responsive mental health providers in Anoka County
This Juneteenth, we honor the past, hold space for the present, and work together toward a more just and mentally healthy future.