Mental Health Awareness Month: Let’s Break the Stigma

May is Mental Health Awareness Month, a time dedicated to shining a light on mental health, encouraging open conversations, and working together to break the stigma that still surrounds mental health conditions. 

Since its founding in 1949, this month has become a national movement that brings individuals, families, and communities together to support mental wellness and advocate for better care.

Why Mental Health Awareness Month Matters

Mental health is just as important as physical health, yet talking about it has been considered taboo for too long. The reality is that mental health conditions are prevalent: In the U.S. alone, 1 in 5 adults experience a mental illness each year, and 1 in 6 youth have a mental health condition-yet only half receive treatment. One of the primary goals of Mental Health Awareness Month is to destigmatize mental health conditions and encourage open conversations. The ongoing stigma around mental health challenges and conditions can be a major barrier and can prevent people from reaching out for support or acknowledging (and taking action on) their own needs.

The good news, though? We all play a role in breaking down these barriers if we work together towards positive change. Here are some ways to help move the conversation forward:

Talk Openly About Mental Health: The more we discuss mental health, the more we normalize it. Share your experiences, listen to others, and use social media as a platform for positivity and support.

Educate Yourself and Others: Knowledge is power. Respond to misconceptions or negative comments with facts and compassion. The more we understand, the less room there is for fear and misunderstanding.

Be Mindful of Language: Words matter. Avoid using stigmatizing language and instead use person-first language (e.g., "person living with depression" instead of "depressed person").

Support Equality: Treat mental health with the same seriousness and compassion as physical health, and within your own social circles, encourage others to do the same.

Share Personal Stories: When people openly share their mental health journeys, it humanizes the experience and inspires others to seek help or offer support. Learning that we're not alone and we have people to turn to who have truly been through it as well, can make all the difference.

Advocate for Change: Support mental health policies, improved access to care, and community resources. Every voice counts in building a more supportive system.

Mental Health Awareness Month is also about building solidarity within our communities and minimizing isolation for those facing mental health challenges. When we come together through local support groups, advocacy, or simply checking in on a friend, we help create a more compassionate and understanding world for all.

Breaking the stigma around mental health isn't something that happens overnight; there's still much to be done, but it CAN be done.

Every short conversation, every small act of kindness, and every step forward for mental health advocacy moves us closer to a world where everyone feels uplifted and safe to be their true selves.

Seeking help is a sign of strength, not weakness. If you or someone you know needs support, don't hesitate to reach out. Collectively, we can break the stigma and build a healthier, more compassionate community.