Observing May as Mental Health Awareness Month
May is the month dedicated to bringing awareness to mental health. Communities around the world come together in a variety of ways to raise awareness, reduce stigma, promote the importance of, and even raise money for mental health. This month serves as a reminder that mental health is an essential aspect of overall health. Everyone deserves access to support, understanding, and resources regardless of age, socioeconomic status, gender, the severity of the problems they’re dealing with, etc. In this blog, we’ll explore the significance of Mental Health Awareness Month, how you can participate in promoting mental health awareness and advocacy, and get connected to various resources for yourself or your loved ones!
Breaking the Silence
This month provides a platform for individuals to share their stories, experiences, and struggles openly. This is an act that can require an immense amount of courage and, when people share their stories, the stigma surrounding mental health can diminish and cultures of acceptance and understanding can flourish. I encourage you to open dialogue about mental health in your community, workplace, and amongst family members and/or friends. If others share their story, you can support them by practicing your active listening skills, adopting a nonjudgmental stance, and supporting them in whatever ways you’re able to and capable of.
Educating and Informing
One main goal of Mental Health Awareness Month is to educate the public about various mental health conditions, their prevalence, and available resources for support and treatment. If you find yourself struggling with a particular issue or diagnosis, I encourage you to take the opportunity to do some research and connect with organizations locally or nationally to learn more about those topics, get connected to resources, and find community.
Promoting self-care and well-being
This month also serves as a reminder to prioritize self-care practices that nourish your mind, body, and spirit. Whether it’s engaging in a regular mindfulness practice, finding creative outlets, creating a budget for yourself, spending time in nature, or finding faith-based communities, take time to find activities that replenish you, bring you joy, or help you grow.
Supporting Mental Health Advocacy
While there are plenty of opportunities throughout the year to do this, the month of May is particularly packed with opportunities to get involved in mental health advocacy whether it’s in your community or online. Attend local events, such as walks or fundraisers, join a campaign committee, or volunteer your time to support mental health initiatives. Doing so can help promote policies that prioritize mental heath and destigmatize seeking help.
Encourage Help-Seeking Behavior
Those struggling with mental health concerns may have a hard time reaching out, seeking help, or even knowing where to turn. You can help your community by sharing your story and encouraging others to do the same. If that isn’t your speed, you could also share information about available support services, hotlines, and mental health professionals. If you’re in the spot to be able to do this, you can talk to friends and loved ones, check-in with them on how they’re doing, and lend a listening ear. All these ideas can let others know that it’s okay to reach out for support when needed.
Take Action for Change
While raising awareness is crucial, creating tangible change requires action. Advocate for increased funding for mental health services, improved access to care, and policies that prioritize mental health in schools, workplaces, and healthcare settings. This can occur on political levels by joining campaigns, writing to congress members, etc. I encourage you to consider the environments you’re in every day and how you can take action to improve mental health in those areas. This can include talking to your boss about creating policies that allow for time off for therapy, advocating for mental health services to be covered by the company you work for, or creating events or groups that provide support to each other or learn about ways to help with mental health. Be creative in finding ways to take action in your daily life.
The month of May offers so many ways to remind people that mental health is an integral part of our lives and deserves attention, compassion, and support. Each of us is on our own journey for managing our mental health, consider these six different areas as ways that you can get involved. Know that it’s okay to get involved as much as you are capable of at this time, given how you feel and what you’re dealing with at this time. We can work together to shine a light on mental health and make a positive impact in the lives of those around us and in our community.
About the Author
Maria Mangione (she/her), M.A., LPCC-S is a licensed clinical counselor who specializes in dialectical behavior therapy. Maria works to help people develop the tools they need to develop trust in themselves and build their life worth living. She believes in having meaningful connections with her clients and believes that therapy and healing can be fun. Click Here to learn more about Maria’s experience and therapeutic style.