Local organization aiming to aid minorities with mental health issues

The coronavirus hit minority groups harder than people expected.

NBC 24 spoke with the leader of the 'Mask Up Toledo' project who started a new initiative this month.

That new campaign is called, Be Well Toledo: Struggle No More. And it's coming from The Center of Hope with a focus on a frame work of mental well-being.

Minority groups were hit hard by coronavirus leaving residual health issues behind.

According to Tracee Perryman, the CEO of the Center of Hope, 2 out of 5 African Americans have experienced mental health issues during the pandemic. Stating that people of color have been vulnerable to disparities in mental health treatment, and when the pandemic hit, it made those disparities widen.

"Naturally, when you're already part of a group that has to deal with these kind of compounded stressors, and here another stressor is added on top of it, it can leave a sense of helplessness behind," said Perryman.

With a lot of misinformation out there and people not knowing where to go to seek help, the campaign is hoping to open doors to make people feel not alone, helping them not feel weak.

"Also helping them adopt and pay attention to the everyday things that they can do to support their mental wellness. But also knowing when those everyday activities are not enough and when to look for help."

Perryman said that mental and physical health are related in a way that when mental health symptoms go unaddressed, it can manifest into physical symptoms such as aches and pains and even heart issues.

"The goal is not to appear strong, the goal is to leverage every resource and every support that you can, to be optimally strong for the people in your life that depend on you."

The Center of Hope put out a PSA music video, similar to the one they made for the Mask Up campaign, in order to destigmatize mental health symptoms, and you can find the full PSA on our website at NBC24.com.

If you or someone you know wants help or support, you can contact Rescue Mental Health Services at 419-225-3125 or go to RescueMHS.com.