Is There a Month of Mental Health Awareness? Here's What You Need to Know
In a fast-paced world that often tasks us and makes us a part of hustle culture, we tend to ignore our own emotional well-being and prioritize the rest. But yes there is a whole month dedicated to emphasizing mental health, and the reason? It is important to change your worldview inorder to change your life! Sometimes a little change in your perspective is all you need.
What is Mental Health Awareness Month?
Mental Health Awareness Month has been recognized every May in the United States since 1949 with advocacy from Mental Health America (MHA). Originally a national awareness effort, Mental Health Awareness Month has taken hold around the world as a way for people everywhere to engage in conversations about mental illness, emotional resilience, and the importance of asking for help. This month is more than just awareness events with themes and hashtags. It is an urgent reminder to check in with yourself and those around you.
Mental health is more than simply mental illness. It is about learning to handle stress, developing self-awareness, and respecting your need to rest, relate with peers, grow and heal. It is about carving out space in your life to ask the question, Are you really okay?
Why Does it Matters More Than Ever?
The current era we live in, an era of post-pandemic effects looming over us in the forms of anxiety, isolation, and burnout. The World Health Organization says that 1 in 8 people globally is living with a mental health condition. Awareness is improving, but sadly stigma remains a barrier to getting help. Many people remain silent because they fear being judged or, worst case, they believe they are unworthy of help.
Mental health struggles do not discriminate. They affect people from any age group, background, profession, or level of privilege. You could have experienced anxiety yourself, or you have likely, albeit quietly, supported someone who struggles with their own depression. Mental health affects us all, directly and indirectly.
Awareness promotes the establishment of culture where it is safe to speak to what hurts.
Common Misconceptions to Unlearn:
Mental Health Awareness Month reminds us of the need to challenge the harmful false narratives that we have accepted over time:
- “Therapy is only for people who have serious issues.” Therapy is a resource for everyone, not just those who are in a crisis. You can think of it as emotional fitness.
- Serving our mental health means not ignoring our emotions. Repressing emotions may work in the short term but it generally ends up causing higher volumes of emotional suffering or physical symptoms later.
- “Mental health is a personal issue, not a public issue.” Mental health is both! We are emotionally impacted by our environments, relationships, and social systems around us.
Forgoing these myths helps to pave the way for empathy, education, and true healing in the society and wipe the stigma attached to mental health.
An Individual’s Contribution to Self & Surroundings
You don’t have to be a mental health professional to contribute. Here’s how you can support the cause this May or any month:
- Start somewhere. Think about your own mental health. Journaling, meditating, or taking a mindful break are all good options.
- Check in. A genuine “How are you actually doing?” may be what they need to hear today.
- Be honest. If you’re comfortable, share your experiences. Honesty develops connection.
- Educate yourself. Read about mental health. Know the signs of distress. Know how to support someone in crisis.
- Boost voices. Follow or support mental health creators or organizations discrediting the stigma surrounding mental illness.
Beyond May: Mental Health is All Year Priority
Mental Health Awareness Month will spark the conversation; now the conversation can continue even as the month passes. It is not enough that we talk about mental wellness; we need to do it every day. To do that, we need to practice self-care regularly, create boundaries, and surround ourselves with communities that accept ‘not being well’ as perfectly acceptable.
We don’t hesitate to schedule time for workouts, meetings, child care, or family commitments; and we should feel the same responsibility to prioritize time for mental check-ins, not because we owe it to anyone, but because we owe it to ourselves.
Let’s Remember This
So yes, May is Mental Health Awareness Month but today is just as good. Whether you are managing stress, living with a diagnosed condition, or just want to feel more connected, your experience matters. There is no shame in struggling, and there is great strength in asking for help.
Mental health isn’t a moment. It’s a movement and it’s going to need you. Your voice. Your awareness. Your compassion.
You are not alone. And you never have to be. If you find yourself to indulge in our blogs, tuberbuddy and forget yourself and learn about everything that goes around you!