Previous MYMH Topics

Stress Awareness Month

Stress is a normal part of human existence. Good stress (eustress) pushes us to strive and achieve, but bad stress—particularly when it’s severe and/or lasts a long time—is highly destructive to our health.  

• Build in more balance. If you feel overly burdened by the daily slog, practice these tips to reduce stress. 
• Talk it out. When under stress, it’s important to not self-isolate—despite the temptation to do so. Learn how to practice stress management.
• Aim to be active. While being active may not seem appealing when you’re stressed, getting some regular exercise will boost your mind/body resilience. Get started with yoga to relax.

Alcohol Awareness Month

Alcohol is the most commonly used addictive substance in the United States: 14.5 million people ages 12 and older had alcohol use disorder. This number includes 9.0 million men and 5.5 million women. Learn more about alcohol use disorder. Here are some important facts you should know:

• An estimated 95,000 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 14.5 million people aged 12 or older had an alcohol use disorder.
• In 2019, 25.8% of people ages 18 or older reported that they engaged in binge drinking in the past month.

National Drug and Alcohol Facts Week

Despite positive developments in the U.S. such as reductions in opioid use, research has identified many facts illustrating the continuing seriousness of substance abuse.

• Alcohol contributes to approximately 18.5% of emergency department visits. Learn more about the signs of alcohol use disorder.
• 8% of people age 18 and older report that they have engaged in binge drinking in the past month. Consider these tips to talk to teens about alcohol.
• 1 million adults, or one in 14 age 26 or older, have needed substance abuse treatment, yet only 1.4%, or three million, have received treatment.  Learn more about treatment options.

LGBTQ+ Mental Health + World Bipolar Day

• About 17% of all people will self-harm during their lifetime. 90% of people who engage in self-harm begin during their teen or pre-adolescent years.

• Bipolar disorder affects approximately 6 million adult Americans.

• The average age-of-onset is about 25, but it can occur in the teens, or more uncommonly, in childhood.

National Cancer Prevention Awareness Month

The stress that comes with a cancer diagnosis can be overwhelming. One in three people with cancer experience mental or emotional distress. Learn more about the role of mental health in helping cancer patients and caregivers.

• Access social and emotional support by joining a cancer support community. Learn more.
• Manage stress by practicing relaxation exercises such as muscle relaxation and controlled breathing. Learn more.
• Let your feelings out. Talk, laugh, cry, and express anger when you need to. Learn more about dealing with emotions and fears.

Download this helpful flyer for cancer support tips.

The Power of Kindness

• After a month of a group of highly anxious individuals performing at least six acts of kindness a week, there was a significant increase in positive moods, relationship satisfaction and a decrease in social avoidance in socially anxious individuals.

• 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. This phenomenon is called the “helper’s high.”

• When we give of ourselves, everything from life satisfaction to self-realization and physical health is significantly improved. Mortality is delayed, depression is reduced and well-being and good fortune are increased.

Get Organized Month

Studies show that people waste up to an hour every day, on average, searching for things that they’ve misplaced. The new calendar year is a good time to enhance your organization skills, so your life runs more smoothly.

• When starting the organization process, it’s important to remember that the clutter didn’t happen all at once, so cleaning and organizing will take time as well. Learn more about how to set specific goals to help you declutter and get organized.
• Once you have specific goals set, you can break down those goals into smaller, more manageable tasks. If a task takes a minute or less, don’t put it on a to-do list for later. Learn more about changing habits. 
• Sticking to goals and staying organized can be a challenge! It takes time to make it your new “normal.” Consider these tips. 

Mental Health After the Holidays

• This month, we are taking the opportunity to bring more awareness around mental health after the new year. We will be highlighting the importance of self-care habits to try as 2022 begins. Learn more.
  • About 9% of Black youth reported an episode of major depression in the past year, yet only about 40% of that group received treatment, compared to 46% of white youth who received treatment
  • Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) is estimated to affect 10 million Americans.
  • Depression is the leading cause of disability worldwide.
  • 48% of all transgender adults report they have considered suicide in the past 12 months, compared to 4% of the overall US population.

National Stress-Free Family Holidays Month

This year, try de-emphasizing the hustle, bustle and material excesses that can accompany the winter holidays. This is a time to celebrate the contributions of family caregivers and provide them with the tools and support they need to keep themselves and their care recipients healthy. Learn more:

• Many family caregivers also work outside the home, often experiencing conflicts between competing responsibilities. Learn how to take care of yourself.
• The stress and daily challenges of caregiving can have a major impact on a caregiver’s mental health, leading to depression, anxiety, substance misuse and stress disorders. Learn how to reduce stress.
• Research shows that caregiving responsibilities also take a significant physical and financial toll on caregivers. Practice these caregiving tips.

The impact of the holidays on our mental health

During the month of December, we are taking the opportunity to to bring more awareness around how the holidays affect us. Here are some important facts:

National Family Caregivers Month

This is a time to celebrate the contributions of family caregivers and provide them with the tools and support they need to keep themselves and their care recipients healthy. Learn more:

• Many family caregivers also work outside the home, often experiencing conflicts between competing responsibilities.  Learn how to take care of yourself.
• The stress and daily challenges of caregiving can have a major impact on a caregiver’s mental health, leading to depression, anxiety, substance misuse and stress disorders. Learn how to reduce stress.
• Research shows that caregiving responsibilities also take a significant physical and financial toll on caregivers. Practice these caregiving tips.

The importance of caregivers

During the month of November, we are taking the opportunity to discuss the importance of caregivers and the vital work they do each and every day. Being a caregiver can be a labor of love, but it can also be stressful. This month learn how you can be an effective caregiver while also taking care of yourself. Here are some important facts:

• About 34.2 million Americans have provided unpaid care to an adult age 50 or older in the last 12 months.

• Approximately 39.8 million caregivers provide care to adults (aged 18+) with a disability or illness or 16.6% of Americans.

• Approximately 43.5 million caregivers who have provided unpaid care to an adult or child in the last 12 months.

• More than 75% of all family caregivers are women. And for many, caregiving is in addition to working full time and raising children of their own.

• About 15.7 million adult family caregivers care for someone who has Alzheimer’s disease or other dementia.

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. 

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.

Suicide Prevention Awareness

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.

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:

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.

Back to School

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:

BIPOC Mental Health

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.  

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:

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 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.
• About 6 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.

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 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.
• An estimated 1% of U.S. adults experience any anxiety disorder at some time in their lives.

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.

Alcohol Awareness

• 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.

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.

Mental Health Support

• 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.

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.

The Power of Kindness

• Five random acts of kindness in a week will increase your happiness for up to three months.
• 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.

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.

Mental Health After the Holidays

• 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.