Remembering the Black Pioneers Who Helped Shape the Mental Health Landscape

Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsBebe Moore CampbellPaul Bertau Cornely, MD, DrPHSolomon Carter Fuller, MDThe Father and Godfather of Black PsychologyHonoring Their Contributions

Table of ContentsView All

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Table of Contents

Bebe Moore Campbell

Paul Bertau Cornely, MD, DrPH

Solomon Carter Fuller, MD

The Father and Godfather of Black Psychology

Honoring Their Contributions

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Key Takeaways

Since 1976, people nationwide have celebrated the achievements of African Americans during Black history month. It’s a time for people to actively recognize the accomplishments and cultural significance of people of color. Their work has impacted every corner of American society, including the field of psychology and mental health.

More and more people of color are beginning to open up about their mental health challenges, but there is still work to be done.

“In 2023 we’re more aware than ever about mental health and how it impacts our communities. The more people we have—in our very own communities—contributing to the mental health space the better we will be able to treat individuals and furthermore promote integrated care—whole person care—mind, body, spirit,” says Larry Ford, DBH, LBHP, BC, Founder atHands to Guide You.

Sharing these stories will hopefully help write Black people into the psychology narrative and empower more people to seek treatment.

Mental Health Resources for the Black Community

Bebe Moore Campbell (1950-2006)

Her goal was to provide a mental health haven for Black Americans living in that area. The organization later became NAMI Urban Los Angeles and offers programs, support groups, community events, and resources to support minority mental health.

Felice Martin, MS, NCC, LPCMs. Campbell…used her platform to destigmatize mental health. As a mother of a child working through emotional struggles, she was committed to bringing awareness to mental health

Felice Martin, MS, NCC, LPC

Ms. Campbell…used her platform to destigmatize mental health. As a mother of a child working through emotional struggles, she was committed to bringing awareness to mental health

Her contributions made such an impact that in 2008 the US House of Representatives designated the month of July as Bebe Moore Campbell National Minority Mental Health Awareness Month.

“Ms. Campbell…used her platform to destigmatize mental health. As a mother of a child working through emotional struggles, she was committed to bringing awareness to mental health. When ‘influencers’ talk about mental health, it gives the general public ‘permission’ to get help,” states Felice Martin, MS, NCC, LPC, CPCS, Certified Professional Counselor Supervisor, NeuroCoach+ NeuroLeader,Behavioral Health Associates of Georgia, LLC.

Are We Closing the Mental Health Treatment Gap?

Paul Bertau Cornely, MD, DrPH (1906-2002)

Paul Bertau Cornely, MD, DrPH, was a pioneer in the arena of medical and mental health. He accomplished many firsts in the Black medical community, including being the first Black person in the United States to receive a doctorate in Public Health in 1934.

Dr. Cornely founded the District of Columbia Public Health Association in 1962 and was the organization’s first president.In 1968, he became the first Black President of the American Public Health Association.

He advocated for patients of color to have access to the same quality care that White patients received. In addition, he shed light on the fact thatracial discriminationwas incredibly harmful to the mental health of Black people.Dr. Cornely was involved in the civil rights movement and challenged mental health and medical professionals to stop looking at Blacks as inferior.

His actions contributed to equal treatment for all medical and mental health patients, regardless of race.

Mental Health Effects of Racism on Indigenous Communities

Solomon Carter Fuller, MD (1872-1953)

Alzheimer’s can lead to severe cognitive impairment, dementia, and eventual death.While research is ongoing, there have been numerous advancements in the field. Solomon Carter Fuller, MD, played an important early part.

Dr. Fuller, a graduate of Boston University School of Medicine, spent a large part of his career working at Westborough State Mental Hospital in Massachusetts. During this time, he uncovered key insights into the physical changes that happen in the brains of patients who have Alzheimer’s disease.

Dr. Fuller is credited as one of the first Black psychiatrists to work with Dr. Alois Alzheimer, who brought the traits of the disease to light in 1901.

Young African Americans With Poor Heart Health At Risk of Alzheimer’s

Francis Cecil Sumner, PhD (1895-1954)

Dr. Sumner earned a spot in Clark University’s PhD program but had to leave when he was drafted into WWI. After his service, he worked to finish the program. Although he faced great obstacles getting his research published because he was Black, Dr. Sumner ultimately prevailed.

Joseph L. White, PhD (1932-2017)

Also referred to as “the Father or Godfather of Black Psychology,” Joseph L. White, PhD helped to dispel the illusion that Black people are inferior. His article, “Toward a Black Psychology,” published inEbonymagazine in 1970, was a groundbreaking piece that positively evaluated Black culture and behavior.

Since Blacks had previously been depicted so negatively, his article was a ground-breaking contrast. He also contributed to future generations of Black mental health professionals. Dr. White founded the Black Studies program at San Francisco State University and was one of the founders of the Association of Black Psychologists.

The contributions of both these men didn’t just benefit African Americans; they served society as a whole.

“These contributions allow Black people to heal in a safe therapeutic relationship. It is true that untreated mental health negatively impacts society (ie trauma, substance abuse, financial struggles, unemployment, etc.), thus as we all heal, society heals,” Martin explains.

10 Women Who Helped Change Psychology

One of the best ways to honor these legacies is to put what they’ve shared into action.Destigmatizemental health challenges in the Black community. Share your stories. Encourage others to get the help that they need. And be grateful for those who blazed the trail.

Everyone deserves mental peace and stability—race should never be a deterrent.

“All contributions are valued. Whenever mental healthcare is brought to the forefront, we are learning what it is to experience whole person care. Without mental health there is no health,” concludes Dr. Ford.

What This Means For YouBlack history month is about more than just remembering the contributions of Black Americans in all arenas, including mental health. It is about honoring their legacies. One of the best ways to do that is to take care of your mental health, and to help normalize getting the help that you need.

What This Means For You

Black history month is about more than just remembering the contributions of Black Americans in all arenas, including mental health. It is about honoring their legacies. One of the best ways to do that is to take care of your mental health, and to help normalize getting the help that you need.

Systemic Racism Takes a Toll on BIPOC Mental Health

11 SourcesVerywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.American Psychological Association.Contributions from prominent Black psychologists.Fripp JA, Carlson RG.Exploring the influence of attitude and stigma on participation of african american and latino populations in mental health services.Journal of Multicultural Counseling and Development. 2017;45(2):80-94. doi:10.1002/jmcd.12066NAMI California.Bebe Moore Campbell Minority Mental Health Month. 2020.National Alliance on Mental Health.Learn more about Bebe Moore Campbell national minority mental health awareness month.Brown, T. M., & Fee, E.Paul b. Cornely (1906–2002): Civil rights leader and public health pioneer.American Journal of Public Health.2011;101(S1):164-164.. doi:10.2105/AJPH.2010.300052District of Columbia Public Health Association.About us.Cornely PB.The health status of the negro today and in the future.Am J Public Health Nations Health. 1968;58(4):647-654. doi:10.2105/AJPH.58.4.647Alzheimer’s Association.Alzheimer’s Disease Facts and Figures.Fuller SC.Alzheimer’s disease (Senium præcox): the report of a case and review of published cases.The Journal of Nervous and Mental Disease. 1912;39(7):440.American Psychological Association.Francis Sumner, PhD, and Inez Beverly, PhD.UCI Cross Cultural Center.About Dr. Joseph L. White. 2023.

11 Sources

Verywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.American Psychological Association.Contributions from prominent Black psychologists.Fripp JA, Carlson RG.Exploring the influence of attitude and stigma on participation of african american and latino populations in mental health services.Journal of Multicultural Counseling and Development. 2017;45(2):80-94. doi:10.1002/jmcd.12066NAMI California.Bebe Moore Campbell Minority Mental Health Month. 2020.National Alliance on Mental Health.Learn more about Bebe Moore Campbell national minority mental health awareness month.Brown, T. M., & Fee, E.Paul b. Cornely (1906–2002): Civil rights leader and public health pioneer.American Journal of Public Health.2011;101(S1):164-164.. doi:10.2105/AJPH.2010.300052District of Columbia Public Health Association.About us.Cornely PB.The health status of the negro today and in the future.Am J Public Health Nations Health. 1968;58(4):647-654. doi:10.2105/AJPH.58.4.647Alzheimer’s Association.Alzheimer’s Disease Facts and Figures.Fuller SC.Alzheimer’s disease (Senium præcox): the report of a case and review of published cases.The Journal of Nervous and Mental Disease. 1912;39(7):440.American Psychological Association.Francis Sumner, PhD, and Inez Beverly, PhD.UCI Cross Cultural Center.About Dr. Joseph L. White. 2023.

Verywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.

American Psychological Association.Contributions from prominent Black psychologists.Fripp JA, Carlson RG.Exploring the influence of attitude and stigma on participation of african american and latino populations in mental health services.Journal of Multicultural Counseling and Development. 2017;45(2):80-94. doi:10.1002/jmcd.12066NAMI California.Bebe Moore Campbell Minority Mental Health Month. 2020.National Alliance on Mental Health.Learn more about Bebe Moore Campbell national minority mental health awareness month.Brown, T. M., & Fee, E.Paul b. Cornely (1906–2002): Civil rights leader and public health pioneer.American Journal of Public Health.2011;101(S1):164-164.. doi:10.2105/AJPH.2010.300052District of Columbia Public Health Association.About us.Cornely PB.The health status of the negro today and in the future.Am J Public Health Nations Health. 1968;58(4):647-654. doi:10.2105/AJPH.58.4.647Alzheimer’s Association.Alzheimer’s Disease Facts and Figures.Fuller SC.Alzheimer’s disease (Senium præcox): the report of a case and review of published cases.The Journal of Nervous and Mental Disease. 1912;39(7):440.American Psychological Association.Francis Sumner, PhD, and Inez Beverly, PhD.UCI Cross Cultural Center.About Dr. Joseph L. White. 2023.

American Psychological Association.Contributions from prominent Black psychologists.

Fripp JA, Carlson RG.Exploring the influence of attitude and stigma on participation of african american and latino populations in mental health services.Journal of Multicultural Counseling and Development. 2017;45(2):80-94. doi:10.1002/jmcd.12066

NAMI California.Bebe Moore Campbell Minority Mental Health Month. 2020.

National Alliance on Mental Health.Learn more about Bebe Moore Campbell national minority mental health awareness month.

Brown, T. M., & Fee, E.Paul b. Cornely (1906–2002): Civil rights leader and public health pioneer.American Journal of Public Health.2011;101(S1):164-164.. doi:10.2105/AJPH.2010.300052

District of Columbia Public Health Association.About us.

Cornely PB.The health status of the negro today and in the future.Am J Public Health Nations Health. 1968;58(4):647-654. doi:10.2105/AJPH.58.4.647

Alzheimer’s Association.Alzheimer’s Disease Facts and Figures.

Fuller SC.Alzheimer’s disease (Senium præcox): the report of a case and review of published cases.The Journal of Nervous and Mental Disease. 1912;39(7):440.

American Psychological Association.Francis Sumner, PhD, and Inez Beverly, PhD.

UCI Cross Cultural Center.About Dr. Joseph L. White. 2023.

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