Mental Health Awareness Month

By: BHS Features Staff

April 30, 2025

If you struggle with mental health, you are not alone, and this is why May is Mental Health Awareness Month.

Mental Health Awareness Month was founded in 1949 and is meant to highlight the importance of a person’s mental well-being and to promote support for mental health issues. Not only is this month when other people talk about mental health, but it is also the month when many look to help themselves or their loved ones. 

Mental Health Awareness can also help reduce the stigma around mental health. Many people think that these issues stem from being weak-minded or sensitive, but this is untrue. There are many people in the world struggling with mental health issues due to environmental factors, bullying, genetics, etc. 

Many mental health support systems, such as websites, set up campaigns to show people that they are not alone. NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Illness) has set up a campaign with the theme of “In Every Story, There’s Strength.” This was chosen because hearing people’s stories may help someone else feel heard, and it could expedite the recovery process. 

Many children and teens, unfortunately, struggle with mental health. Globally, one-in-seven 10 to 19-year-olds (14 percent) struggle with and experience bad mental health or some type of mental disorder. A large number of these cases go unrecognized or untreated. When it comes to mental health in children and teens, it is important that they are taught healthy coping mechanisms. 

Suicide is a very sensitive topic, but it is very important when it comes to mental health. Suicide is the third leading cause of death in older teens and young adults, ages 15-29. For younger teens 10-14, it is the second leading cause. 

It is important to look for warning signs. Changes in sleep habits, not wanting to do activities of interest, social isolation from family and friends, substance abuse, neglecting self-care, obsessing over death, problems with focusing, no response to praise, and many more are red flags. Everyone is different and will feel differently. 

If you or anyone you know shows these signs or you think that they may be planning suicide, please call the suicide helpline at 988 or (800) 273-8255. The help line runs 24/7, so please call when needed. Do not hesitate! ❤️

Mental health is real and nothing to be ashamed of. It is important to seek recovery for anything you may be struggling with, and the faster you do, the better you will feel.

Take care of yourself. 

{Information for this article sourced from NAMI, National Council, World Health Organization, and Johns Hopkins Medicine.}