How to honor Mental Health Awareness Month this May
Clinically reviewed by Dr. Chris Mosunic, PhD, RD, MBA
Discover the meaning behind Mental Health Awareness Month. Plus, 13 simple ways to celebrate and honor mental wellness throughout the month of May.
Mental health has become more widely discussed in recent years, but many people still struggle privately with anxiety, depression, and feelings of overwhelm. Whether you have panic attacks, are dealing with burnout, or just can’t stop spiraling thoughts from keeping you awake at night, mental health issues can be debilitating. Even worse, many people are too self-conscious to open up about them.
That’s why Mental Health Awareness Month exists.
Every May, people mark Mental Health Awareness Month by checking in with themselves, reaching out to others, and helping to normalize what so many carry quietly. In doing so, you can learn to better navigate issues like stress and grief, and become a better friend and partner.
Here’s what you can do to make this Mental Health Awareness Month a success.
What (and when) is Mental Health Awareness Month?
In the U.S., May marks Mental Health Awareness Month (MHAM) — a tradition since 1949.
Mental Health America launched this campaign to bring visibility to mental health struggles. Over time, organizations like the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) and the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) joined in, helping the movement grow into a nationwide effort.
Every year, there’s a new theme for Mental Health Awareness Month, which helps to give shape to the month’s message. It can also be used to spark conversations in schools, workplaces, and communities. The theme in 2025 is Turn Awareness Into Action — a call to action for everyone to do what they can to improve their mental health or take part in a bigger mental health movement.
At its core, this month is about making space to reflect, to connect, and to care for others — and yourself.
What is the purpose of Mental Health Awareness Month?
The purpose of MHAM is to challenge stigma, promote access to care, and remind everyone that mental health is essential for wellbeing.
Its goal is to make it easier for everyone to talk about mental health. It’s also a month for education, empathy, and action. That might mean learning how anxiety actually shows up in the body, having an honest conversation with a friend, or sharing a resource that helped you through a rough patch on your social media accounts.
No matter what you do, the goal is to connect with others and send the message that nobody is ever truly alone.
Why mental health matters
Mental health shapes the way you move through the world and how you treat others. When you feel supported, you’re more patient and compassionate. When you’re not, everything can feel harder and more exhausting.
And while mental health encompasses crisis hotlines and clinical diagnoses, it’s also about the invisible stuff we all live with, like burnout, stress, and emotional hangovers.
Our mental health affects everything: How we sleep, eat, work, and how we show up in our relationships. Still, there’s so much shame and silence surrounding it, which is why awareness matters. Talking about mental health can open doors and make us feel less alone.
How to support or celebrate Mental Health Awareness Month: 13 tips to get involved
This May, make your goal to tune in and reach out where you can. You don’t have to overwhelm yourself; just try small actions that work within your current schedule. Here are 13 ways to mark Mental Health Awareness Month.
1. Start with one honest check-in
Check in with yourself and notice how you’re really feeling. Pause, breathe, and listen. Don’t necessarily try to fix or judge yourself; aim to just notice.
Here are 10 mindfulness questions to help you with his exercise.
2. Have a real conversation with someone you trust
Pick one person you feel you can be yourself with and open up to them. Share something honest, like how you’ve been sleeping, or talk about that stress dream you recently had.
Vulnerability breeds more vulnerability, and it helps us feel more connected. If vulnerability isn’t your strong suit, these five tips can help.
3. Curate your feeds with care
Cleanse your social media feed so that it doesn’t trigger you. Unfollow and mute any account that makes you feel bad. Then, make your new goal to follow accounts that make you feel seen, safe, or inspired.
4. Share a resource
If you’re active on social media, share a hotline number, a podcast link, or a quote that helped you. But try to avoid being preachy. Let it be an offering and not a mandate.
💙 Consider sharing the Mental Health Reset: Just One Step series with a friend you know is struggling — or listen to it yourself if you want to recharge your mind.
5. Create a tiny “calm kit” for hard days
Make a kit that helps ground or soothe you when you’re having a rough day. You could include your favorite tea, a memento that makes you smile, or a funny note from a friend.
6. Check in on your friends
Reach out to your friends and ask them how they’re doing, especially the ones who always say “I’m fine.” It doesn’t need to be a long phone call — a short text works too.
7. Embrace the “pointless pause”
You don’t need a reason to rest. Take 60 seconds to close your eyes, breathe, or stare out the window and do absolutely nothing. Your nervous system will thank you.
💙 Settle into your body by listening to Pause To Breathe with Prof. Megan Reitz.
8. Make therapy (or support groups) less taboo
If you’ve benefited from therapy or peer support groups, consider sharing that in a way that feels good to you. Normalizing getting support can help others do the same.
9. Lighten someone’s load in a real way
Helping to improve someone’s mental health can be as easy as dropping off groceries or babysitting for an hour. Small actions like this can really lighten their mental load.
10. Move your body
Go for a walk, stretch, or do a little dance break in your kitchen. Movement helps to reset your nervous system. It doesn’t even need to be intense in order for it to be healing. So go easy on yourself, and have fun.
If you need inspiration, here are seven simple movement exercises to boost your mental health.
11. Use your voice if you can, when it matters
Advocate for mental health days at work or in your local community. Sign petitions that support mental health issues. And vote for leaders who prioritize wellbeing over burnout.
12. Don’t underestimate the power of a “me too”
If someone tells you they’re having a hard time, resist the urge to fix. Instead, start with, “Me too,” or “That makes a lot of sense.” Empathy is usually more powerful than advice.
13. Give yourself permission to not do all the things
Choosing rest is just as valid as joining a campaign. You’re not a bad advocate if all you do this month is survive. It’s more than okay to prioritize your own wellbeing.
Mental Health Awareness Month FAQs
Is Mental Health Awareness Month in May?
Mental Health Awareness Month is observed every May in the U.S. During this time, people are encouraged to talk more openly about their mental health, as this can help reduce stigma.
What color ribbon is used for Mental Health Awareness Month?
The official color for Mental Health Awareness Month is green, which symbolizes new life, growth, and renewal. You might see people wear a green ribbon or share an image of one as a way to show solidarity and spark conversations about mental health.
Wearing green can be a powerful way to stand with people who are navigating their mental health. It can also serve as a reminder that healing isn’t always linear, but it’s still possible.
How can I talk to kids about Mental Health Awareness Month?
A good way to talk to kids about this campaign is to focus on emotions the way you might talk about the weather. You could say, “Looks like it’s a grumpy-cloud kind of day, huh?” By doing this, you teach them that all feelings are normal, temporary, and okay to name.
Also, name your own feelings in an age-appropriate way. This can make them feel safe enough to ask questions. Books, shows, and even cartoons can also be great conversation starters.
Are there virtual events or campaigns I can join from home?
There are virtual events you can join from home. Organizations like Mental Health America (MHA), the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI), and the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) offer free toolkits and social media campaigns you can join to spread awareness.
You can also follow hashtags like #MentalHealthAwarenessMonth or #MHAM2025 to find content and virtual panels.
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