The Importance of Mental Health Awareness Month

October is Mental Health Awareness Month, a time to reflect on the importance of mental health and how we can work to support those who are struggling. Mental health is essential to our overall well-being, yet too often, mental health is seen as a taboo subject. This needs to change. Mental Health Awareness Month allows us to open up the conversation about mental health and remove the stigma surrounding it.

Why Mental Health Awareness Month Matters

One in five adults in the U.S.—43.8 million people—experience mental illness in a given year. Of those, 18.5 percent—or one in five youth aged 13–18—experience a severe mental illness at some point during their life. Suicide is the 10th leading cause of death in the U.S., with 123 people dying by suicide every day. Despite these statistics, only half of those with diagnosable mental illnesses receive treatment. That’s where Mental Health Awareness Month comes in; by drawing attention to these issues, we hope to encourage more people to seek help and remove the stigma surrounding mental illness.

There are many ways you can help support Mental Health Awareness Month:

Educate yourself and others about mental health issues: One way to help reduce the stigma around mental illness is by educating yourself and others about what it is and what it isn’t. Check out this list of mental health resources from NAMI (the National Alliance on Mental Illness) for reliable information on various mental health topics. Share your knowledge with friends, family, and co-workers to help spread awareness about mental illness and its effects

Observe screenings and events: Throughout October, screenings and events will be held nationwide to help raise awareness about mental illness and its effects. See if any are happening near you, and try to attend one or two.

Get involved with a local charity or organization: Getting involved with a local charity or organization is another great way to show your support for Mental Health Awareness Month.

Make donations: Finally, you can also help support Mental Health Awareness Month by making donations to organizations working to support those affected by mental illness.

Mental Health Awareness Month is an important time for us to come together and support those who are struggling with mental illness. You can get involved in many ways, including educating yourself and others about mental health issues, observing screenings and events, getting involved with a local charity or organization, or making donations. We hope you take advantage of this month as an opportunity to learn more about mental health and how you can support those affected by mental illness in your community.