Mental Health Awareness Month – Why We Still Need to Talk About Mental Health

Here’s what we know: mental health challenges don’t affect some people. They affect all of us, in one way or another.

You might live with anxiety, depression, or ADHD. You might be supporting someone who does. Or maybe you’re dealing with burnout, grief, trauma, or just a general sense of being emotionally overwhelmed.

No matter where you fall, your mental health is part of your overall health. Just like your heart or your lungs, your brain and emotional world deserve care, attention, and support.

And yet—even now—there’s still so much misunderstanding. There are still too many people who feel ashamed for struggling. Too many who can’t get the help they need.

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), one in eight people around the world were living with a mental health condition in 2019, with anxiety and depression being the most common. And since many people don’t seek help or go undiagnosed, the real number is likely even higher (WHO World Mental Health Report, 2022).

That’s why talking about this stuff—openly and often—is still so necessary.

Ways You Can Get Involved (Without Burning Yourself Out)

You don’t have to do anything huge or dramatic to make a difference. Sometimes it’s the small, quiet actions that matter most.

Here are a few ways you can take part in Mental Health Awareness Month—at your own pace:

1. Talk About It (If You Want To)
Sharing your story can be healing—for you and for others. Whether it’s with a friend, in a journal, or on social media, your voice might be exactly what someone else needs to hear.

You don’t need to have a neat, resolved story. You don’t need to be an expert. Just speaking openly about how you’re feeling—or how you’ve felt in the past—can create space for others to do the same.

2. Learn Something New
There’s always more to learn. Maybe it’s understanding how trauma affects the brain, or learning what anxiety really feels like for someone else. Knowledge reduces stigma—and it can also help you feel more connected to your own experience.

You might explore:

  • Short educational videos or infographics on mental health terms (like “executive dysfunction” or “rejection sensitivity”)

  • Podcasts hosted by therapists or people with lived experience

  • Books that explore emotional resilience or healing

The goal isn’t to become an expert—it’s to become more informed, more curious, and more compassionate.

3. Check In On Someone—Properly
Instead of the usual “How are you?”, try asking, “How have you been feeling lately?” or “What’s been on your mind?”

These deeper check-ins don’t need to be heavy or dramatic. Just being a calm, non-judgmental presence can make someone feel seen. If you’re not sure what to say, try:

  • “I’ve noticed you’ve seemed a bit off—how are you doing really?”

  • “No pressure, but I’m here if you need to talk.”

Often, just knowing someone would listen is enough to help someone feel a little less alone.

4. Share Resources (Because You Never Know Who Needs Them)
Sometimes, helping others doesn’t mean having the perfect advice—it means connecting them with the right tools.

If you’ve found something that helped you—even in a small way—it’s worth sharing. This could be:

  • A podcast that helped you feel understood

  • A meditation or journaling app

  • An Instagram account run by a therapist

  • A mental health helpline or free support group

You don’t have to share it widely. A quiet DM or personal recommendation can make a huge difference.

Examples:

  • For anxiety: MindShift CBT, Insight Timer, or therapist accounts like @theanxioustherapist

  • For grief: The Griefcast podcast or the Cruse Bereavement Support website

  • For general support: National helplines, community counseling centers, or therapist directories

Think of it as leaving breadcrumbs for someone else to find their way.

5. Push for Better Support (Right Where You Are)
A lot of people think advocacy has to be big or loud—but real change often starts quietly, right in the places you spend most of your time.

At work, school, or in your local community, there are usually small shifts that could make a huge difference in people’s mental wellbeing.

Some examples:

  • At work: Suggest flexible schedules, normalize mental health days, advocate for manager training around emotional wellbeing. Even something as simple as sharing mental health articles in a newsletter or Slack channel can open a door.

  • In schools or universities: Support mental health education, ask for better access to counselors, or organize wellness events that go beyond “just breathe” messaging.

  • In community spaces: Start a conversation with your local community center, church, or sports group. Could they host a talk, share resources, or check in on their members more intentionally?

You don’t need to be a leader or expert to start the conversation. Small ripples can create big waves.

It’s Not Just About One Month

Mental Health Awareness Month is a great reminder—but the real goal is bigger than that.

We want to build a world where:

  • It’s normal to talk about emotions without shame

  • People can get support when they need it—without jumping through hoops

  • Workplaces, schools, and systems treat mental health as health

So if you’re taking care of your own wellbeing, checking in on someone else, or simply reading this to understand more—thank you. That’s what awareness looks like in action.

And if you’re not okay right now? That’s okay too. You’re not alone.

This month is for you, and every month after that is too.