National Mental Health Awareness Month 2025
May is National Mental Health Awareness Month, which has been observed since 1949. Throughout the month, Mental Health America and other organizations focus on educating the public about mental health and reducing stigmas associated with mental illness. That's just one reason that the theme for National Mental Health Awareness Month 2025 is "Turn Awareness Into Action."
Here's why that's important.
Approximately 50 million adults suffer from a mental illness, according to Mental Health America's 2023 State of Mental Health survey. According to the same survey, 55% of adults who have a mental illness haven't received treatment. Beyond that, the CDC (Center for Disease Control) and countless other mental health organizations and studies cite the social stigmas surrounding mental illnesses as a leading factor that prevents people from seeking help for mental illnesses and encouraging others to do the same. Historically, society has viewed mental health as a weakness on the part of those affected. For example, the antiquated notion that bottling up emotions is the best way to process them. Or alternatively, that diagnosed depression can be overcome by sheer willpower. Both are false. It's worth noting that anyone, regardless of economic status, upbringing, or any other external factor, can experience negative mental health.
Furthermore, studies show a dangerous cycle between negative mental health and self-destructive habits. It can be summed up as this:
- A person feels bad.
- A person does something unhealthy to feel good.
- A person then feels bad for having done said unhealthy activity.
- Repeat.
Breaking this negative mental health cycle requires help, patience, and, at times, medication to overcome. This is why the National Library of Medicine and other peer-reviewed publications state that individuals who have a strong emotional support system comprised of family and friends have a better chance of overcoming and/or managing their depression, anxiety, etc.
Simply put, mental health is a crucial element to living a long, healthy, productive life and even just taking a self-care day and doing something that nourishes you can be a game changer. Here are a few other ways you can support this year's theme of turning awareness into action.
Create Safe Spaces: Everyone has safe spaces where they feel most comfortable being themselves. Whether you find your own or help foster a positive environment for those around you, safe spaces are a key component of positive mental health.
Work/Life Balance: The concept of work/life balance has gained traction over the last few years and it's easy to see why. The goal behind work/life balance is to prevent and treat burnout, a mental state where one is exhausted by their workload and gets persistent anxiety when thinking about what they need to accomplish. Burnout often leads to an inability to continue working. Furthermore, symptoms of burnout can ruin personal relationships. If an individual consistently uses all of their energy at work, how much can they have left to foster meaningful connections with friends and family?
To do our part, we offer our team members self-care days in addition to traditional PTO and sick time.
Honest Conversations: We've all been there. Someone asks how things are going, and you respond with "Good" or "Great," even if those responses couldn't be further from the truth. Sure, not every conversation needs to be explicitly about your stressors and concerns. However, by having honest conversations with those closest to you, you may find the advice, validation, and support you need to overcome a depressive period. Alternatively, allowing others to vent their stressors and concerns can make a world of difference.
Past National Mental Health Awareness Month themes include More Than Enough, Pathways to Wellness, Live Your Life Well, and Where to Start: Mental Health in a Changing World.
If you or any loved ones are struggling with mental health issues, we encourage you to seek help. You're not alone. Call or text 988 or chat 988lifeline.org for immediate help. Or visit the resources below for more options:
National Institute of Mental Health
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
National Alliance on Mental Illness - Washington or Oregon .