Previous MYMH Topics

October—National Depression and Mental Health Awareness and Screening Month

This observance is designed to educate the public about the signs, symptoms and treatment options for depression, and to encourage those who might be suffering to respond to a brief, confidential battery of questions—a mental health screening. Learn more:

Depression is extremely common, and helping others know that they are not alone (thus reducing stigma) can be very encouraging. Read about depression.
Screenings aren’t considered a professional evaluation, but they are a quick and uncomplicated way to spot some of the early signs of potential trouble. Learn more.
Don’t be afraid to share your own experience of depression with those who are currently struggling. Find out how to talk to others.

Visit our webpage to access additional, free resources and events for National Depression and Mental Health Awareness and Screening Month.

October 2021—Stamp Out Stigma—Mental Health Education

During the month of October, we are taking the opportunity this month to bring more awareness to general mental health education, as well as depression awareness.. It’s our job to help end the stigma surrounding mental health by sharing resources and starting conversations. We will encourage you to learn more about mental illness and what resources are available to help those find treatment.

September—Suicide Prevention Awareness Month

This observance raises awareness and connects individuals experiencing suicidal ideation to treatment services, in addition to offering support to those previously affected by suicide. Learn more:

Suicidal thoughts can affect anyone regardless of age, gender or background. Suicide often stems from an untreated mental health condition.
If a person seems in danger of hurting themselves, call 911 immediately. Learn more about suicidal thoughts or threats and how to help someone.
Talking about suicide is very important if you’re worried about someone. A supportive conversation can save a life.

September 2021—Stamp Out Stigma—National Recovery Month

During the month of September, we are taking the opportunity to discuss substance use disorder recovery. It’s our job to help end the stigma surrounding mental health by sharing resources and starting conversations. We will encourage you to learn more about mental illness and substance use disorder and what resources are available to help those find treatment. Here are some important facts you should know:

Among the 20.2 million adults in the U.S. who experienced a substance use disorder, 50.5%—10.2 million adults—had a co-occurring mental illness.
The misuse of prescription opioids and use of heroin is one of the most significant public health issues in the United States. Opioid abuse claims more lives than motor vehicle crashes.
5 0% of individuals with eating disorders abused alcohol or illicit drugs, a rate five times higher than the general population.

August—International Friendship Day

The first Sunday in August (8/1 this year) is International Friendship Day—a day to celebrate both the old and the new friends in our lives. Learn more:

Take some time to consider and appreciate those people who have stood by you during tough times. Learn more about the importance of personal relationships for lowering stress.
Reach out to your friends with a simple gesture of kindness such as a friendly text, email, phone call, flowers or a card. Here are five ways to reduce loneliness and increase connection.
When communicating with old friends, share a memory of a past mutual experience that might spark a lively conversation and some welcome laughs today. Follow these tips to make more social connections.

August 2021—Stamp Out Stigma—Know the Facts

August is normally the back-to-school month for most students. This year might be a little different, so we are taking the opportunity to discuss student mental health throughout the month. Here are some important facts you should know:

56% of students are significantly concerned with their ability to care for their mental health.
In a survey, sixty-three percent of students say that their emotional health is worse than before the COVID-19 pandemic.
50% of all lifetime cases of mental illness begin by age 14 and 75% by age 24

July—BIPOC Mental Health Month

This health observance brings awareness to the unique struggles that individuals within the BIPOC (Black, Indigenous and People of Color) communities face in regard to mental illness. Learn more:

Many demographic categories of BIPOC individuals, including those living in poverty, report experiencing high levels of psychological distress, depression and suicidality. Watch this video about the importance of a good support system.
Black and Hispanic Americans used mental health services at about half the rate of white Americans in the past year, while Asian Americans obtained care at one-third the rate. Learn more about breaking the stigma.
Lack of cultural understanding by health care providers may contribute to underdiagnosis and/or misdiagnosis of mental illness in people from racially/ethnically diverse populations. Read about barriers to mental health care.

July 2021—Stamp Out Stigma—Know the Facts

July is BIPOC Mental Health Month. As hard as it is for anyone to get proper mental health care in the United States, it’s even harder for racial, ethnic, religious and gender minorities. Not only are there the problems most of us experience, but there are added burdens of access and quality-of-care. Learn more:

Native Americans have the highest rate of young adult suicide of any ethnicity .
African Americans are 10% more likely to report having serious psychological distress than Non-Hispanic whites.
Lack of cultural understanding by health care providers may contribute to underdiagnosis and/or misdiagnosis of mental illness in people from racially/ethnically diverse populations.

June—National PTSD Awareness Month

Approximately eight million Americans at any given time suffer with post-traumatic stress disorder. This observance seeks to raise public awareness about issues related to PTSD, reduce the stigma associated with PTSD and help those suffering with this condition obtain needed treatment. Learn more:

PTSD can cause different types of symptoms. There are resources readily available to help diagnose and effectively treat PTSD. Learn the signs in this video.
Be there for support. When someone you care about has PTSD, the person may act differently and get angry easily. Follow these helpful tips.
Treatment is available. Helpful treatments include therapy, medications, peer support and more. Find treatment options.

June 2021—Stamp Out Stigma—Know the Facts

June is Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) Awareness Month. Seventy percent of adults in the U.S. have experienced some type of traumatic event at least once in their lives, with up to 20% of these go on to develop PTSD.

About 7 or 8 out of every 100 people will have PTSD at some point in their lives.
About6 of every 10 men and 5 of every 10 women experience at least one trauma in their lives.
An estimated 1% of U.S. adults had any anxiety disorder in the past year.
Among U.S. Army infantry soldiers returning from Iraq, 9% of those who reported a TBI with loss of consciousness also reported symptoms of PTSD.

May 2021 - Mental Health Month

Each year millions of Americans face the reality of living with a mental illness. This health observance highlights the importance of mental health and wellness. Learn more:

Get your body moving. When you exercise, you release endorphins that trigger positive feelings and increase emotional well-being. Learn more about regular exercise for mental health.
Surround yourself with supportive people. Your way of thinking is influenced by those around you. Find people who make you feel good about yourself. Watch this video about support systems.
Put your needs first. Make sure to take care of yourself so that you can be there for others. Find tips about self-care and compassion.

May 2021—Stamp Out Stigma—Know the Facts

May Mental Health Month highlights the importance of speaking openly about mental health. One in five adults in the U.S. experience a mental health condition within a given year. Youth mental health is worsening, with severe depression rates continually increasing. While this is important to address year-round, emphasizing mental health awareness during May provides a time for people to come together and help reduce mental illness stigma.

Here are some important facts you should know:

Over 44 million American adults have a mental health condition.
1 in 6 U.S. youth aged 6-17 experience a mental health disorder each year
In 2018, there were more than two and a half times as many suicides (48,344) in the United States as there were homicides (18,830).
Just over half (50.6%) of children with a mental health condition aged 6-17 received mental health services in 2016.
Mental health workforce shortage
An estimated 1% of U.S. adults experience any anxiety disorder at some time in their lives.

Remember, mental illness does not discriminate. Help us bring attention to the importance of sharing mental health stories and improving the lives of millions of Americans living with a mental illness.

April 2021—Stress Awareness Month

The observance aims to educate Americans about the prevalence and seriousness of stress, while highlighting helpful coping strategies. Here are some tips you should know:

Stress affects physical health. Studies have linked stress to heart disease, asthma, diabetes, obesity, gastrointestinal problems, depression and accelerated aging. Learn more.
Keep a journal to track stressors. Writing about what is generating your stress, then brainstorming for solutions, can empower you to reduce stress and anxiety. Track your stress.
Meditate mindfully to minimize chaos. Take quiet time to yourself, sit comfortably and breathe deeply. Practice these meditation tips.

April 2021—Stamp Out Stigma—Know the Facts

This month, Stamp Out Stigma is highlighting Alcohol Awareness. Learn more.

An estimated 88,000 people die from alcohol-related causes annually, making alcohol the third leading preventable cause of death in the United States.
Long-term health risks of alcohol use include high blood pressure, heart disease, stroke, liver disease, and digestive problems.
Approximately 14.8 million people aged 12 or older had an alcohol use disorder.
In 2018, 26.45% of people ages 18 or older reported that they engaged in binge drinking in the past month.

March 2021—National Drug and Alcohol Facts Week

The observance aims to counteract myths about substance use and addiction, while educating people about the current science on substance use. Here are some tips you should know:

Spot the signs and seek help. Only about 10 percent of people who need treatment for substance abuse in the U.S. actually receive treatment. Know the facts about substance use disorder.
Start treatment early. Mild substance use disorders can also be treated, and early intervention can prevent severe disorders later. Find out about substance use treatment programs.
Prevent relapse. Stopping substance use, whether it’s alcohol or drugs you are using, is very hard. Very few people succeed the first time they try. Learn more about developing a relapse plan.

March 2021—Stamp Out Stigma—Know the Facts

Stamp Out Stigma is highlighting the importance of mental health support. Learn more.

1 in 5 adults in America experience a mental illness.
About 17% of all people will self-harm during their lifetime.
Bipolar disorder affects approximately 6 million adult Americans.
90% of people who engage in self-harm begin during their teen or pre-adolescent years.
The average age-of-onset is about 25, but it can occur in the teens, or more uncommonly, in childhood.

February 2021—National School Counseling Week

The observance acknowledges counselors for partnering with parents in addressing the challenges of raising children in today’s world. Here are some tips you should know:

Talk with your child. If you think your child might be suffering the effects of stress, anxiety or depression, make time to talk with them. Learn more about how to ask them about their feelings.
Nurture their well-being. Encourage your child to get regular exercise, spend time with supportive friends, eat healthy foods and get enough sleep. Practice these tips.
Seek help if needed. It’s normal for a child to be moody or sad occasionally. However, if these feelings last for weeks or months, depression may be the cause. Learn more.

February 2021—Stamp Out Stigma—Know the Facts

Stamp Out Stigma is highlighting the power of kindness. Learn more.

Five random acts of kindness in a week will increase your happiness for up to three months.
When you are kind to another person, your brain’s pleasure and reward centers light up, as if you were the recipient of the good deed—not the giver.
When we give of ourselves, everything from life satisfaction to self-realization and physical health is significantly improved.
Kindness stimulates the production of serotonin. This feel-good chemical heals your wounds, calms you down, and makes you happy.

January 2021—National Get Organized Month

Being disorganized can cause us to lose focus and waste energy. Here are some tips to keep a disorganized home or workspace from draining you:

Assess your spaces. When you enter your work or leisure spaces, do they make you feel good and ready to achieve? Learn more about the effect your workplace can have on your mental and physical health.
Get a fresh start. Rearranging and refreshing your space can enhance your thinking and creativity. Learn more about how setting up your work area can make a difference in how you feel.
Set goals. If you’ve decided to categorize your clutter, start one zone at a time to avoid getting overwhelmed. Learn more.

January 2021—Stamp Out Stigma—Know the Facts

Stamp Out Stigma is taking the opportunity this month to bring awareness to mental health after the new year.

Seasonal affective disorder (SAD) is estimated to affect 10 million Americans.
48% of all transgender adults report they have considered suicide in the past 12 months, compared to 4% of the overall US population
60% of people who achieve their New Year’s resolutions flop once-or more-before succeeding.
Black adults in the US are more likely than white adults to report persistent symptoms of emotional distress, such as sadness or helplessness.

Find content from previous months below

Mind Your Mental Health is Magellan Healthcare’s educational initiative designed to raise awareness about mental health and mental illness.