The people of color mental health movement is a social justice and human rights movement that aims to improve the lives of people of color (POC) in the United States. It focuses on issues such as racism, discrimination, poverty, incarceration, and other forms of oppression. The movement was founded by Dr. Carol Gilligan in 1980. In her book In A Different Voice: Psychological Theory, she describes how women tend to have a different voice from men, which leads them to think differently about situations. This difference in thinking has implications for how they approach life and relationships.

In addition, POCs often experience additional stressors due to their race, gender, class, sexual orientation, religion, disability, age, immigration status, socioeconomic status, and/or ability. These factors can lead to increased vulnerability to psychological disorders. For example, African Americans are more likely than whites to be diagnosed with depression, anxiety, substance abuse, schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder, eating disorders, and suicide attempts.