May Is Mental Health Awareness Month

Happy Mental Health Awareness Month!! Hoping everyone has had a healthy and fulfilling May, but of course, we never limit this to just one month. Plain and simple, bringing awareness of mental health saves and enhances lives. We’ve come a long way in spreading the word, educating ourselves and others, and supporting those, including ourselves, who are in need. Remember, you don't have to have a diagnosis to be affected or have mental health issues.

Adults and school-aged children have been dealing with mental health challenges and poor self-esteem, which have worsened since the pandemic. Some people are still recovering from the effects of the pandemic and the current inflationary period. Mental health has always been a fundamental challenge in the United States, with rates that continue to rise. Many issues contribute to the scarcity of mental health care, including high costs and inadequate insurance coverage, few options, lengthy waiting lists, lack of awareness, and social stigma. Our communities continue to suffer the consequences and cry out for more accessibility resources that can help close some of the gaps by providing mental health programs for our youth and adults.

Many standard treatments have failed to help our youth who struggle to communicate. Some youth continue to have challenges with expressing their thoughts and feelings. When it comes to financing and delivering a more inclusive, affordable, and accessible educational experience, our public school system faces several obstacles. Bringing awareness to mental health breaks the stigma associated with conditions such as depression and anxiety, enables individuals to identify symptoms promptly, and motivates people to pursue transformative support. As per Pine Rest Mental Health Services, a mental illness is a physical condition of the brain that leads to disruptions in thinking, behavior, mood, or emotion, hindering one's ability to manage the everyday challenges of life. Studies are beginning to reveal the intricate factors behind these illnesses, which may involve genetics, brain chemistry, brain structure, undergoing trauma, and/or possessing another health issue, such as heart disease (Holthaus, 2026).

I've consistently supported mental health awareness, as it resonates with me personally, being an adult who had to discover the challenges of having parents with untreated mental health problems. My mother particularly battled untreated mental problems, but declined to acknowledge them or seek help. Her mental health challenges impacted all aspects of her life, including parenting, personal hygiene, education/intellect, daily activities, and professional life. During our childhood, my brother and I faced abuse and neglect due to her unresolved problems and unwillingness to take responsibility or improve, so sadly, we had to cope with it. Up until now, she still hasn't sought help; my father had his problems, too, but he was harmful to my mother, exploiting her mental and emotional issues.

It wasn't an easy road, but with music, dance, and love for adventure, I found an escape. As a healed and healing adult, I assist those currently facing similar struggles in my profession. As an adult, you really grasp the concept of the old saying, "If they wanted to, they would." I delve deeper into this topic in my book. I can, however, say that no matter what, there will always be individuals who opt to stay in denial and avoid treatment, which frankly reveals that they could never truly care for you or anyone else, as they lack sufficient care for themselves. If not addressed, mental health issues can result in higher medical expenses, a significant decline in academic and work performance, a decline in employment opportunities, and an increased risk of suicide.

Stay well!