Mental Health Awareness Month

May 7, 2025

By Antoinette Peterson

May is Mental Health Awareness Month. Since 1949, this month has served as a time to raise awareness and promote support for the millions of Americans struggling with mental health conditions. There are many things that can impact a person’s mental health. These include relationships, the pressures of work or school, loneliness, or other factors that are often out of one’s control. Some less obvious causes could include the economy, politics, technology, and other current events. Especially in today’s world, screens and social media can have a profound impact on our mental well-being.In this blog post, we will share some facts about Mental Health, as well as some ways you can support mental health awareness in the coming weeks.

Mental Health in the U.S.

Even though there has been progress in recent years to support mental health initiatives, many individuals still lack access to mental health services. This is especially concerning, given the harrowing statistics regarding mental health conditions in the U.S.

50% of all lifetime mental illnesses begin by age 14, and 75% begin by age 24.
1 in 20 U.S. adults experience serious mental illnesses each year.
1 in 5 U.S. adults experience mental illness each year.
1 in 6 U.S. youth experience a mental health condition, with only half receiving treatment

Knowing this information makes it all the more critical that we advocate for improved mental health policies, increased funding and better access to care.

Support Your Well-Being this Month

You can take action throughout the month of May by supporting your own well-being. This can be as simple as taking care of your physical health, connecting with friends and loved ones, or even working to limit your screen time. Certain habits (exercise, journaling, mediation, practicing gratitude etc.) can also help you maintain your mental health. This can look different for everyone, so figuring out what works best for you is critical to developing a good routine.

In addition, working to develop coping skills is also critical for supporting your own well-being. Change is a constant in life, and developing these skills can help you process and accept these changes.