Mental Health Awareness Month dates back to 1949, but Americans face a growing crisis today. The National Institute of Mental Health reports that men are substantially less likely to get help. Only 40% of men with reported mental illness receive care, compared to 52% of women. These numbers paint a grim picture – men die by suicide four times more often than women, and these rates have climbed steadily since 2000.
We have a long way to go, but we can build on this progress in mental health awareness as stigma blocks many from getting treatment. Depression affects over 6 million men each year. About 20% of American men struggle with alcohol abuse during their lifetime. Mental Health America dedicates June to Men’s Mental Health Awareness Month because people need support throughout the year. Mental Health Awareness Month 2025 gives us a chance to make real change. People can join awareness activities, wear awareness colors, or start conversations in their communities.
What is Mental Health Awareness Month and Why It Matters
“It is not the bruises on the body that hurt. It is the wounds of the heart and the scars on the mind.” — Aisha Mirza, Writer and mental health activist
Mental Health America (formerly the National Association for Mental Health) started Mental Health Awareness Month back in 1949. This significant observance has grown from a week-long event to a month-long recognition over the last 75 years. May now stands as a dedicated time to highlight mental wellbeing.
The history and purpose of Mental Health Awareness Month
Mental Health Awareness Month started as a way to teach Americans about mental illness and wellness. The observance wants to build awareness about mental health conditions and showcase available treatments and research. It helps reduce stigma that stops people from getting help and celebrates recovery stories. Mental Health America releases a toolkit every mid-March. This helps organizations plan their outreach activities based on that year’s theme. On top of that, presidential proclamation recognizes May as a vital time to “support citizens suffering from mental illnesses, raise awareness of mental health conditions, and commit our Nation to innovative prevention, diagnosis, and treatment”.
Mental Health Awareness Month 2025 theme and color
The 2025 theme “Turn Awareness into Action” pushes us to do more than just understand – we need to create real change. Green serves as the official color, representing hope, strength, and emotional support for people affected by mental illness. The Light Up Green campaign stands out as a key initiative. Buildings and structures light up in green throughout May across the United States to boost visibility. Local communities can join by reaching out to landmarks about going green on May 1st or any day in May.
Why mental health awareness is more important than ever
Mental health challenges affect almost everyone. 1 in 5 U.S. adults faces mental illness each year, and half will experience a mental health condition during their lifetime. In spite of that, stigma and misconceptions still keep many people from getting the help they need. Public understanding of mental health has grown by a lot in recent years. The landscape keeps changing as:
- Michelle Obama, Simone Biles, and Naomi Osaka openly discuss their mental health challenges
- Young people speak up more about mental wellness, especially on social media
- The focus moves from pathology to awareness and self-care
Mental Health Awareness Month creates spaces for meaningful conversations through events, fundraising, education, and advocacy. These conversations can save lives.
Understanding the Challenges: Stigma, Silence, and Statistics
Millions of people avoid seeking mental health support because stigma creates a powerful barrier. Research shows people either delay getting care or stop their treatment due to stigma.
Why men are less likely to seek help
Mental health presents unique challenges to men. Studies reveal that two-thirds of mental health outpatient visits are made by women. Several factors create this gender gap. Boys learn to suppress their emotions from an early age. This suppression leads to what experts call “normative male alexithymia”—which means they lack words to express emotions.
Traditional masculine values like toughness, independence, and emotional control clash with the idea of seeking help. Men who strongly believe in traditional masculinity typically view psychological help more negatively. The results are devastating—men’s suicide rate is four times higher than women’s.
Mental health statistics in 2025
Mental health in America shows troubling trends. Depression affected about 13.1% of adolescents and adults during 2021-2023. These rates dropped with age and rose with family income. Mental health awareness month highlights a sobering fact: 46 percent of Americans will face a diagnosable mental health condition at some point.
Getting care remains a significant challenge. Almost 6 in 10 people with mental illness never receive treatment or medication. 28.2% of adults with mental illness try to get treatment but fail.
The impact of stigma on different communities
Stigma hits each community differently. LGBTQ+ individuals face mental health conditions three times more often than others. Mental health awareness month’s color becomes a powerful symbol of unity for these communities.
Racial and ethnic minorities struggle more to get mental health care. Cultural barriers and healthcare system distrust create additional obstacles. Black, indigenous, and people of color often feel more skeptical about the mental health system. Studies show they receive lower quality mental health care.
Money plays a vital role—people with the lowest family income show depression rates three times higher than those with the highest income.
How to Take Action During Mental Health Awareness Month 2025
“Be dedicated to change the way in which people see mental illness at all levels of society. If not for yourself, advocate for those who are struggling in silence.” — Germany Kent, Media personality and mental health advocate
Mental Health Awareness Month needs more than just recognition of mental health’s importance. We can create lasting change for people with mental health challenges through personal and community involvement.
1. Host or attend awareness events
NAMIWalks United Day of Hope takes place on May 17, 2025. This event brings together individuals, families, and communities to raise funds and build awareness. You could organize a mental health film festival that shows documentaries about mental health aspects, and follow up with panel discussions with professionals. Open mic nights let people share personal stories and encourage connection and understanding. These events create a supportive space for healing conversations.
2. Share educational content on social media
Your posts can reach others who support mental health by using hashtags like #shareNIMH and #MentalHealthMatters. NIMH provides shareable resources including social media graphics and videos with accurate, science-based information. Your shared content should highlight the full spectrum of mental health—from serious conditions to everyday wellness strategies.
3. Support mental health organizations
Mental Health America needs donations to keep their vital public education programs running, including the annual Mental Health Month planning guide. The “Be Seen in Green” fundraising initiative helps provide financial support for mental health services. Local fundraising events help secure long-term investment in psychology programs.
4. Start conversations in your community
The Toolkit for Community Conversations About Mental Health helps people facilitate dialogs about mental health. These conversations give people chances to learn about mental health issues and improve conditions in their families, schools, and communities. A simple check-in about someone’s mental health can decrease stigma and create opportunities for safe, open discussions.
5. Wear the awareness color to show support
Green symbolizes hope and emotional support as the official color for Mental Health Awareness Month. People wear green accessories, dress in green, or light up buildings with green light throughout May to show solidarity. This visible support reduces stigma and starts important conversations.
6. Support better mental health policies
Mental health care access needs your support throughout 2025. The Telemental Health Care Access Act of 2024 aims to maintain expanded telehealth access that started during the pandemic. Your scientific expertise can help shape mental health policy through reports and advisories at local and national levels.
Resources to Support Yourself and Others
Getting help shows strength, not weakness. Mental health awareness month 2025 brings many support resources that you can access whenever needed.
988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline
The 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline helps people dealing with thoughts of suicide, mental health distress, or substance use crisis. Trained crisis specialists provide compassionate care to anyone who reaches out. You can call, text, or chat 988 anytime, day or night, throughout the year. This free and confidential service connects you with specialists who know how to prevent suicide and handle crises. Veterans can press “1” after dialing 988 to reach the Veterans Crisis Lifeline. Spanish speakers can press “2” or text AYUDA to 988. LGBTQI+ community members can text “PRIDE” to 988 or press “3” to speak with affirming counselors.
FindSupport.gov and other national resources
FindSupport.gov makes it easy to understand mental health treatment options. This platform, launched in May 2023, helps you find healthcare professionals and understand insurance coverage while answering common behavioral health questions. Spanish speakers can visit EncuentraApoyo.gov. SAMHSA’s National Helpline offers treatment referrals and information about mental health and substance use disorders. The NAMI HelpLine (800-950-6264) provides personal emotional support and resources from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. ET, Monday through Friday.
Local mental health services and hotlines
Community-based crisis centers play a crucial role in intervention. Mobile Crisis Teams include professionals with personal experience who come to you—at home, work, or anywhere else. Crisis receiving and stabilization facilities work like emergency rooms. They take all walk-ins and provide short-term care in person. These local services team up with groups like Indiana Crisis Assistance Response Team (I-CART) to help schools during crises. They also work with Critical Incident Stress Management teams to support workplaces after traumatic events.
Support groups and online communities
Connecting with others who share similar challenges creates meaningful support. DBSA online support groups welcome people living with depression and bipolar disorder. Mind’s Side by Side online community lets members discuss mental health challenges and share their stories in a safe, moderated space. ADAA runs four free online peer-to-peer communities that connect over 80,000 subscribers from 174 countries. These groups help people with shared experiences find community support on their wellness path.
Conclusion
Mental health awareness has made great strides since 1949, but most important challenges persist. One in 5 adults faces mental health conditions each year, and stigma still stops millions from getting the help they need. This is especially true for men and marginalized communities. The 2025 theme “Turn Awareness into Action” reminds us that understanding by itself isn’t enough.
Green ribbons symbolize hope and solidarity during Mental Health Awareness Month, and community events help build meaningful connections. Without doubt, we can all drive positive change by sharing educational content on social media, backing mental health organizations, and pushing for better policies. The 988 Crisis Lifeline, FindSupport.gov, and local support groups are ready to help when you or someone close to you needs support.
Mental health deserves attention beyond just May. Every new conversation, every person seeking help, and every policy change moves us closer to treating mental and physical health equally. As I wrote in my previous post, Dr. Eva Selhub’s services can help your organization realize its full potential through a “New Dawn.” We’ll work together to build resilience and create lasting change.
Taking care of our mental health needs both individual dedication and community backing. Your actions make a difference – whether you join awareness activities, wear green, or reach out to friends and family. Mental health awareness goes beyond identifying problems. It’s about creating a world where everyone feels supported on their trip to wellness.
