5/4/26: May is Mental Health Awareness Month

May is Mental Health Awareness Month, but in today’s culture, I think we need to be aware of our nation’s mental health crisis every month. 

According to NIMH (National Institute of Mental Health), 23.4% of US adults suffer from mental illness, with over 5% suffering from severe mental illness.  What is more shocking, is that approximately 20% of adolescents (ages 6-17) suffer from mental illness.  Like their adult counterparts, females and LGBTQ+ demographics report mental illness at a higher rate than other groups.

With such an overwhelming problem, it is hard to believe there are still treatment gaps.  We have improved treatment options – medication, counseling, self-care, but often there are limitations – cost, physical access, sparsity of resources such as mental health professionals that keep adults and adolescents from receiving treatment. Sometimes, it is simply the perceived stigma of saying “something isn’t quite right” that keeps people from getting the help they need.

Odds are, you have been impacted by mental illness – personally afflicted, friends or family who struggle, or sadly, and most likely, we know someone who couldn’t battle their demons anymore and made the decisions to leave this world.

It is all very heavy and not fun to talk about, but part of the reason the problem grew to the level it is at is because we were unwilling to talk about it.

Although mental health awareness is a burden we all need to carry, often the stories of how we are affected are not ours to tell.  The stories that impact me are not mine to tell.  What I can say is watching friends and family struggle has weighed heavy on my head and my heart.  I have experienced the “sidelines impact” of watching those I care about suffer.  

Mental health is like other illnesses that when left untreated, it “spreads”. 

So what are the options if you are feeling the pains of mental illness or seeing someone suffer?

I will be the first to tell you, five or ten years ago, I wouldn’t have thought medications were the best solution.  Today’s version of me whole-heartidly believes in medication intervention (in conjunction with counseling).  The impact that medications can play in correcting the chemical imbalances in a body is mind-blowing.

A good-fit mental health professional can make a world of difference – sometimes with medication – sometimes without.  I say “good-fit” because it needs to be someone you feel a certain level of trust and connection with.  Much like medications, you also need to give counseling a chance to work.  This is not a one and done solution, or not even a couple sessions.  This is a long-term investment in yourself.

Lastly, and the one I would stress as someone directly or indirectly impacted by mental illness, is self-care.  Often, illness can stem from a desire to care for others, a fear of appearing weak, or compacted by an unwillingness to acknowledge a problem exists.  Caring for yourself will be key in improving your health quality – whether it is setting better boundaries, resting your body, or acknowledging that help is needed.

When you are the one looking in, it is tempting to be fully invested in the person being impacted by a mental health crisis, but you also need to care for yourself.  You cannot pour from an empty cup, so do little things to make sure your mind and body are well.  Also, there will be people who don’t want help, and sometimes you just need to know when it is time to love and support them at arms length.  You can’t want healing for someone more than they want it for themselves. 

Remember, advocacy doesn’t have to be disrespectful, disruptive, or detrimental for others.

Advocacy is self-education, self-awareness, and self-care.  Sometimes it is awareness and care of others, but never lose sight of your own well-being.

There are several resources if you or someone you know is struggling with mental health issues.  Be brave enough to reach out to one of them if you are in need.