May: Mental Health Awareness Month, 2025

May is not just a month, it’s a reminder to prioritize mental health. If you or your loved one is dealing with any mental illness, then the month of May offers a significant chance to raise your voice and take necessary measures to overcome them. Mental health awareness was first founded by Mental Health America to promote and spread awareness of the significance of sound mental health. 

The Mental Health Awareness Month acts as a driving force towards the journey of mental wellness. Individuals become aware of all ways to cope with their common mental issues. 

However, if you want to know more about the ‘’May: Mental Health Awareness month’’ then read this article thoroughly. You will also get an idea of why Mental Health Month is important and what you can do to show your support for this month. So let’s start!

What is Mental Health Awareness Month? 

The month of May is recognized and renowned as Mental Health Awareness Month. It is also known as Mental Health Month. Mental health awareness month was first established in May 1949 in America to spread awareness regarding the significance of mental well-being. This month of mental health awareness involves different media campaigns, local events to spread awareness, and some film screenings with the main concept pivotal to mental health.  

Moreover, this also focuses on taking those measures that break the stigma and provide the desired mental support to individuals. In addition, this month also celebrates the relief of US individuals from their mental health issues. 

Due to wrong concepts regarding mental health and a lot of stigma in society, most people suffer in silence instead of getting help. But with the aid of Mental Health Awareness Month, they get that confidence and self-esteem to seek treatment for their common mental health issues.

Every year, in the middle days of March, Mental Health America, which was formerly known as the National Association for Mental Health a releases a toolkit. The specialized toolkit comprises certain materials that provide a complete guide regarding the preparation of conducting outreach activities to spread awareness throughout the day. 

In addition, every year, several affiliates of MHA and other larger organizations also organize different activities with varied themes. They provide information to individuals on how they can deal with their mental health disorder. Likewise, they also offer significant resources to provide mental health support to those individuals who are battling with common mental health issues. 

Green Ribbon: The green ribbon is used to represent Mental Health Awareness Month. This is not just a ribbon, it’s a perfect symbol of mental strength, hope, and resilience for individuals who are on a journey of mental well-being. 

Each individual has a unique mental health journey where they bring out their inner potential and effortlessly shape their mental health journey to acquire mental serenity and resilience. In May, Mental Health Awareness Month is a national movement that is a call for each individual to start considering their mental health and enjoy their mental well-being. 

On this day, different individuals suffering from different mental health issues share their experiences and learn from them. By sharing their stories, they develop a strong connection with each other, understand each other’s mental struggles, and learn multiple skills. 

What is the importance of Mental Health Awareness Month?

There is great significance in Mental Health Awareness Month as it includes:

1. Stigma reduction

There are a lot of misconceptions regarding mental health that restrict individuals from taking action to deal with their mental illnesses. Moreover, in multiple communities, most of the people also show a negative attitude towards those who are victims of any mental issue. But the mental health awareness month presents a challenging situation to this stigma and gives support to individuals to come forward, share their mental health struggles, and seek professional help. By openly communicating with a professional and skilled mental health expert, individuals can get the best solutions to manage their mental health issues. 

2. Early intervention

Timely intervention is necessary to prevent the occurence of negative consequences of any mental issue. The mental health awareness month is the month to alert individuals to seek help early, before a situation arises where they face difficulty in managing the symptoms of their mental issues. 

3. Educate the people

In the mental health awareness month, individuals also get a chance to learn about each aspect of mental health conditions and their impact on mental health. With sufficient knowledge, individuals can better understand how they can cope with their mental issues and embark on the journey of mental wellness.

4. Sharing support groups 

This month also acts as a source of encouragement for individuals to get support from different reliable mental health resources or join support groups. 

5. Developing a sense of understanding

With the help of this month, individuals understand all the mental health challenges and foster a sense of understanding towards each other. Moreover, they also come forward and support each other on the journey to mental wellness. 

6. Celebration of Recovery 

This mental health awareness month also acknowledges those individuals who have fought with their mental issues and then successfully overcome and relieved. These individuals act as a source of hope or inspiration for those who are still on the road to recovery. 

7. Mental health policies 

Individuals also get to know the alterations in mental health policies and the availability of funds. In addition, they also get an idea regarding the modes to feasibly access the finest quality mental care.

Who can benefit from Mental Health Awareness Month?

Every individual who is suffering from any mental issue can benefit from Mental Health Awareness Month. It’s not necessary that only affected individuals should pay attention to the mental health awareness month, as after gaining complete awareness, they can also help others. 

As there is a high prevalence of mental issues, the need to consider Mental Health Awareness Month is also higher. 

• Almost 1 in 5 young individuals in the USA suffer from mental issues every year. 
• 1 in 6 US individuals experience mental illness, but among them, only half are those who get treatment.
• The onset of 50% of mental health issues usually occurs at the age of 14. While 75% are those who appear at the age of 24. 
• In individuals whose age is between 15 and 24, suicide is the third leading cause of their death. 
• 19% of young individuals are those who attempt suicide every year
• 66% are those who are victims of a substance abuse disorder and also have a co-occurring mental illness. 
• Among all mental issues, anxiety disorder is one of the most common mental health disorders. 
• Almost 40 million adults suffer from anxiety every year. 
• Approximately 21 million individuals have major depressive disorder.
• 7 million have bipolar disorder
• 3 million have obsessive-compulsive disorder
• 9 million have post-traumatic stress disorder
• 1.5 million people have schizophrenia 

Themes of Mental Health Awareness month in previous years 

What are the major Mental Health Awareness Month activities?

The entire May, Mental Health Awareness month, is full of activities whose prime goal is to spread the word of mental well-being of each individual. Most common mental health awareness month activities include:

• Community events
• Mental health awareness walks
• Mental health screening events 

Personal mental care activities

• Regular practice of Mindfulness
• Physical activity 
• Limiting screen time
• Sufficient sleep
• Getting social support
• Making a connection with nature
• Exhibiting gratitude 

Workplace activities include:

• Use of Employee Assistance Programs for mental support
• Workshops for Stress management 
• Journaling exercises
• Sessions of Meditation and yoga
• Mental Health First Aid workshops 
• Work-life balance training
• Volunteer activities 

What are the ways to support Mental Health Awareness Month?

The first thing that you should do to support Mental Health Awareness Month is to give priority to your mental health. Start thinking about those actions or strategies that you can take to have control over your mind and ultimately over your mental health. 

1. Stay informed 

Each May, various seminars or webinars are held by multiple organizations, including Mental Health America and the National Institute of Mental Health, that you can join and get the latest information and updates on mental health. In addition, you can also participate in raising funds. 

2. Be a symbol of green

You can also become a promoter of Mental Health Awareness Month. Wear the green clothes, as green is the symbol of mental health awareness. So be seen in green and participate in different fundraising campaigns. 

3. Get some handouts 

You can also print some attractive and thought-provoking slogans about mental health to spread awareness. 

4. Light up everything

Light is a symbol of hope and happiness. You can also lighten up your homes or personal places with green color lights in Mental Health Awareness Month. 

5. Social sharing 

By sharing certain promotional messages or ideas on social media platforms, you can also get involved in spreading awareness regarding mental wellness. By sharing such messages or slogans, you can spread awareness for mental well-being. 

• ‘’This may break the chain of stigma associated with mental health. Start speaking about your mental health and regain your mental stability.
• Sometimes, it’s ok not to be ok. Making mental wounds is not a sign of weakness. It’s a sign of courage. Keep a check or reminder on your mental health and always move ahead to achieve success.
• This May, Mental Health Awareness Month, is the best time to promote and raise awareness regarding mental health.

#Support Mental Health

#Break The Stigma  

6. Start a conversation 

If you find anyone who is silently battling with any mental illness, then you can reach out to them and give them support to revitalize their mental health. Develop a friendly and non-judgmental environment where they feel secure and share their mental health concerns without any fear of judgment or criticism.

Last thoughts 

Every year, Mental Health Awareness Month is observed in the month of May. This month also acts as a platform that spreads awareness regarding the importance of mental health. Moreover, it also provides education and guidance to individuals to get rid of their mental health issues. The ultimate goal of May, mental health awareness month, is to empower each individual to acquire mental well-being and live a prosperous and mentally active life. 

Transform your Child’s mental health at Children Psych.

Children Psych is a leading platform that offers the best psychiatric services for children and adolescents. 

At Children Psych, we act as an advocate for your child’s mental health. We offer the best psychiatric solutions for your child and adolescent that not only treat your young one’s mental health issues but also break the stigma and give them a nurturing environment so they can heal and thrive. 

So reach out

to our skilled and professional psychiatric child nurse practitioners and get the best mental health solutions for your young minds.

Get Started Now