May is Mental Health Awareness Month.  Since 1949 the month of May has been utilized to highlight mental health topics and be a light for change.  Each year many organizations touch on various themes to raise mental health awareness worldwide.

In 2022, the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) is focusing on, “Together for Mental Health.” (Free Awareness Guide)

Mental Health America’s (MHA) theme this year is, “Back to Basics.”  (Free toolkit)

American Foundation for Suicide Prevention’s (AFSP) theme is #MoreForMentalHealth and after the last two years I agree completely.  The discussion of linking physical and emotional health to brain health is one we can’t ignore any longer.  Lend your voice to the fight and help save lives.

No matter the day, month, or year, mental health awareness can be honored daily. Mental health is just one of the pebbles that is tossed into the pond of life that creates ripples.  Each ripple represents a person and their life experiences. It is likely that if a person doesn’t experience a mental health diagnosis personally or a traumatic event, they will know someone who will.  It truly takes all of us to stand together to make necessary changes to battle the mental health crisis that is ravaging our youth, our communities.

A Glimpse of Mental Health Numbers

• 1 in 5 U.S. adults experience mental illness each year
• 50% of all lifetime mental illness begins by age 14, and 75% by age 24
• 1 in 20 U.S. adults experience serious mental illness each year
• 1 in 6 U.S. youth aged 6-17 experience a mental health disorder each year
• Suicide is the 2nd leading cause of death among people aged 10-34

When looking at these numbers one might ask what are the most common mental health diagnoses?  Depending on where you look the numbers vary slightly, but overall there is a common thread of information being reported.  Overall, anxiety disorders, mood disorders, eating disorders, substance abuse use disorders, and attention deficit disorders seem to top off most lists.  While these numbers vary slightly, it is often reported that anxiety is the most commonly diagnosed mental health disorder affecting more than 40 million adults (18 years and older) every year.

As Mental Health Awareness Month kicks off this year, He Who Laughs would like to give a shout out of appreciation to ALL the champions who have joined our efforts in championing mental wellness near and far. Our efforts to be a light to others is only possible because so many of you hold our efforts close to your heart.

Over the years, our intention and our reach has grown.

From the initial desire to Un;te others, showing that suicide knows no limits to holding Champ;ons forever in our hearts who had run ahead.  Finding the strength to R;se no matter how many times you fall down, and then answering the call in 2022 to Sh;ne a light into the darkness.  These efforts are not easy and many days, we don’t see the ripple of our reach and yet, we still show up.

In the wise words of John Green, “People were created to be loved. Things were created to be used.  The reason the world is in chaos, is because things are being loved and people are being used.”  Maybe in time we will realize the error of our ways, and find our way back home to reconnect to the human spirit.

How are you raising mental health awareness during the month of May?  I would love to hear from you in the comments below.