July is Minority Mental Health Awareness Month, a time to recognize the unique mental health challenges faced by Black, Indigenous, and People of Color communities, and to highlight the resources that actually work.
Why culturally responsive care matters in group settings
Group therapy adds a layer of complexity because you are not just connecting with a facilitator; you are connecting with other group members. When the group does not reflect your cultural background or when the facilitator lacks cultural competence, the experience can feel alienating rather than supportive.
What to look for in a culturally affirming group
The facilitator’s background and training. A facilitator does not need to share your identity to be effective, but they should have specific training in multicultural counseling and demonstrate cultural humility.
Group composition. Some people prefer identity-specific groups. Others prefer diverse groups with a culturally competent facilitator. Neither preference is wrong.
How the group addresses identity. In a culturally responsive group, your racial or cultural identity is acknowledged as a relevant part of your experience.
Types of identity-specific groups
These include groups for Black individuals addressing racial trauma, AAPI communities working through model minority pressure, Latinx communities addressing immigration stress, Indigenous communities incorporating traditional healing, and multiracial individuals exploring identity and belonging.
Questions to ask before joining
What is the facilitator’s experience with culturally diverse groups? How does the group handle conversations about race and identity? What is the current composition of the group?
For providers: creating inclusive groups
Invest in ongoing multicultural training. Be explicit in your group listing about your commitment to cultural responsiveness. Update your listing on The Group Guide to reflect your cultural competencies.
Start your search on The Group Guide where you can filter by group focus and location.
Keep reading
- How to find a support group near you (online and in-person)
- What makes peer support groups so useful
- Why NAMI’s peer support groups matter
Ready to find the right group for you? Browse over 2,000 therapy groups, support groups, and peer communities, searchable by topic, location, and format. Find a group near you →
A note on what we do (and don’t). The Group Guide is a directory. Group leaders write their own listings, and we don’t vet, supervise, or endorse them. We’re not a clinic, and we don’t guarantee outcomes. That’s the group’s work, not ours.
If you’re in crisis, call or text 988.