May Observances
National Mental Health Month
Mental health is an integral part of overall wellness.
This month promotes awareness of mental health and seeks to reduce stigma associated with mental illness and treatment.
- Mental Health America offers a Mental Health Month Toolkit.
- The National Institute of Mental Health offers information on caring for your emotional wellbeing and other mental health resources.
- Learn about resources, trainings and events offered by the National Council for Mental Wellbeing
- For Mental Health Awareness Month, SAMHSA features resources, Practitioner Trainings, and Federal Resources.
May is Borderline Personality Disorder Awareness Month
Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD) is an illness marked by an ongoing pattern of varying moods, self-image, and behavior.
- A licensed mental health professional experienced in diagnosing and treating mental disorders can diagnose BPD.
- Learn more about signs, symptoms, and treatments for BPD from the National Institute of Mental Health.
Asian and Pacific American Heritage Month
This month, we celebrate the vibrant Asian and Pacific Islander communities and honor their contributions to the United States.
The National Asian American Pacific Islander Mental Health Association (NAAPIMHA) promotes the mental health and well being of the Asian American and Pacific Islander communities. Since its founding, NAAPIMHA strives to raise awareness of the role of mental health in an individual’s health and well-being, especially in Asian American Pacific Islander communities throughout the country. For more information, visit their home page.
On May 28, 2021, President Joe Biden signed Executive Order 14031, "Advancing Equity, Justice, and Opportunity for Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians, and Pacific Islanders" to establish the White House Initiative on Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians, and Pacific Islanders (WHIAANHPI) and deliver on his commitment to reinstate and reinvigorate this historic Initiative. For more information, visit their home page.
Organizations offering resources for the Asian and Pacific Islander Communities:
- National Asian American Pacific Islander Mental Health Association (NAAPIMHA)
- White House Initiative on Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians, and Pacific Islanders (WHIAANHPI)
- Asian American Psychological Association
- Asian & Pacific Islander American Health Forum
- Health and Human Services Office of Minority Health (OMH)
- Mental Health America (MHA)
- National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI)
- National Child Traumatic Stress Network (NCTSN)
- National Network to Eliminate Disparities in Behavioral Health (NNED)
- SAMHSA Office of Behavioral Health Equity (OBHE)
Articles of Interest:
- The article, "Addressing the Mental Health Needs of the AAPI Community" by Oliver Kim discusses the ongoing social, economic and health disparities faced by the AAPI community, and provides recommendations for addressing the community's mental health needs.
- The U.S. Census provides a history of Asian and Pacific American Heritage Month as well as population statistics for the two groups.
- University of Washington Medicine Huddle article, "Diversity in Asian and Pacific American Experiences"
MHTTC Products:
- Stigma, Shame & Self - Hosted by the Northwest MHTTC, this podcast celebrates May as Mental Health Awareness Month and National Asian and Pacific American Heritage Month. Presenter Aleks Martin surprised their audience with guests Boya Hua and Dr. Hieu Pham. The presenters address how to identify the social impact of stigma and shame on the “self” and tools to overcome the suffering and silence.
- Understanding and Treating Psychosis and Other Mental Illnesses in the Context of Asian Cultures and Anti-Asian Racism - Hosted by the New England MHTTC, this recorded webinar provides a brief analysis on how Asian religious and philosophical traditions affect the understanding, clinical manifestation and treatment-seeking behaviors of people with psychotic disorders and other mental illnesses. The mental health toll of anti-Asian racism and being a “model minority” is also presented.
- The Mental Health of Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander Communities in the Time of COVID: It's Time for Bold Action - Hosted by the Pacific Southwest MHTTC and the MHTTC Network Coordinating Office, this three-part virtual roundtable addresses the impact of historical and present day trauma and social injustice on AAPI mental health, provides self-care strategies, and identifies long term community engagement strategies to address the mental health of Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander communities.
Maternal Mental Health Month
Perinatal mood disorders are the most common medical complication associated with childbearing. This month brings awareness of that statistic and of maternal mental health resources.
- Visit Postpartum Support International for help finding local mental health providers and to access online support groups.
- The Maternal Mental Health Leadership Alliance offers mental health resources and ways to get involved in political advocacy surrounding maternal mental health.
May 1-7 is Maternal Mental Health Awareness Week
This week brings awareness to postpartum mental health.
The first full week in May is Maternal Mental Health awareness week, and focuses specifically on the mental health of mothers. Often called the “baby blues” and officially known as postpartum depression, the time after having a baby can be a difficult mental health time for moms. This week aims to raise awareness to mothers and other community members about postpartum mental health, and encourage new mothers to seek help if they are having mental health struggles.
May 11 is National Children's Mental Health Awareness Day
This month raises awareness about the importance of positive mental health in a child's emotional development.
- SAMHSA provides a history of National Children's Mental Health Awareness Day and resources for planning activities to acknowledge the day.
- The National Child Traumatic Stress Network offers a number of youth mental health resources for caregivers, children and providers.
- Find evidence-based resources and helpful guides for navigating specific mental health topics in children at the Child Mind Institute's Family Resource Center.
- Additional organizations offering children's mental health resources:
May 7 - 13 is National Prevention Week
National Prevention Week brings together communities to promote substance use prevention and positive mental health through engagement and education.
- SAMHSA will host an interactive National Prevention Week virtual event to raise awareness about substance use prevention and mental health.
- If you are planning events during this week, SAMHSA's Toolkit for Planning Events is a great resource offering promotional videos, tips and event planning checklists.
- The Prevention Technology Transfer Center Network's article, National Prevention Week: At the Intersection of Substance Use Prevention provides a succinct and informative overview of this week's importance.
May 14 - 20 is Women's Health Week
This week brings awareness to women's health disparities and encourages women to take control of their health.
- The Office on Women's Health provides statistics and resources for women's health.
- View the Central East MHTTC's recorded webinar on Culturally and Linguistically Appropriate Services for Women's Behavioral Health.
- Read "Let's Break the Silence: A Guide to Lesbian, Bisexual and Trans Women's Health" by The National LGB&T Partnership.
- Access culturally specific resources and events through the Black Women's Health Imperative.
May 18 is Mental Health Action Day
Mental Health Action Day aims to move the culture of mental health awareness further by encouraging action. By actively seeking out resources and advocating for change, you can take action for yourself, your loved ones and your communities.
- The Mental Health Action Network brings together nonprofits, government agencies, brands and communities to advocate for positive mental health action.
- NAMI offers a number of events, groups and other ways to take action across the country.
May 24 is World Schizophrenia Day
Celebrate the resilience of the people who carry a diagnosis of schizophrenia and reflect on everything that mental health professionals, researchers, and peer activists have accomplished to advance psychosis-related care. Much work remains to lift the stigma surrounding this condition and to create a more just end equitable world for people diagnosed with serious mental illness.
- Learn more about schizophrenia from the National Institute of Mental Health.
- Schizophrenia is a common condition affecting approximately 1% of the world’s population, characterized by a group of symptoms collectively called psychosis, which can include strange or illogical thoughts and/or unusual perceptions like hearing voices. Schizophrenia most commonly emerges in late adolescence or early adulthood, and it is not uncommon for people diagnosed with schizophrenia to experience a range of other symptoms, such as difficulties concentrating, trouble staying organized, or decreased motivation and enthusiasm. While these symptoms can present challenges, schizophrenia is a highly treatable condition. Psychosis can be understood and modified through a wide range of specialized, evidence-based treatments, and persons diagnosed with schizophrenia can live full, meaningful lives pursuing what matters to them.