Mental Health Awareness Month
A time to learn, support, & act
Mental Health Awareness Month has been observed in the United States every May since 1940 to raise awareness, promote wellness, and reduce stigma. Founded by Mental Health America (MHA), the observance started as a weeklong effort. It gradually expanded into a whole month of education, advocacy, and community engagement. This May marks 77 years of raising awareness about mental health for individuals, families, and communities nationwide.
Mental health is critical to overall wellbeing, yet conditions like anxiety and depression, which impact millions of people, often go untreated due to stigma, lack of awareness, or limited access to care. According to data from the Anxiety and Depression Association of America, nearly 40 million adults in the U.S., or about 18% of the population, experience an anxiety disorder in any given year. Anxiety often coincides with depression and can significantly interfere with daily life, school, work, and relationships.
Breaking the silence
The core of Mental Health Awareness Month is about opening up conversations. Organizations like the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) emphasize that sharing personal experiences helps break down misconceptions and fosters understanding. NAMI’s 2026 Mental Health Awareness Month campaign centers on the theme “In Every Story, There’s Strength.” By encouraging people to share their journeys — whether in writing, video, or social media posts — NAMI highlights resilience and the power of connection in changing the mental health narrative. NAMI provides prompts and channels for submitting stories, recognizing that personal insight can be a powerful force for empathy and community change.
Mental Health Awareness Month offers many ways to get involved.
- Educate yourself and others: Use MHA’s action guides, printable materials, and graphics to start conversations and spread reliable information.
- Support loved ones: Check in with friends, family, or colleagues; a simple conversation can make a lasting difference.
- Share your experience: Whether big or small, your story could help inspire someone else.
- Advocate for change: Join local initiatives, support policy improvements, or engage with national campaigns.