Mental Health Awareness Month: A Time to Honor and Support a Critical Part of Health
There are moments in life that leave a lasting mark. Sometimes they’re joyful or triumphant. But other times, they are heavy — etched into memory because of what was lost or what we wish we had done differently.
For me, one of those moments was as a clinical supervisor. I was working with a medical trainee who was exceptionally bright, clinically skilled, and deeply dedicated. But something wasn’t quite right. Beneath the surface, they seemed distracted, withdrawn, unsure of themselves. During a feedback session, I considered asking how they were really doing. But I held back, worried I might be overstepping.
The next day, that trainee attempted to take their own life.
That moment changed me. It reminded me that mental health is not just a personal issue — it’s a human one. And whether we’re colleagues, supervisors, friends, or family, we have more power to support one another than we often realize.
Mental Health Challenges Are Common — and Often Invisible
One in five adults in the U.S. experiences a mental health condition each year. These challenges come in many forms — anxiety, depression, PTSD, burnout — and affect people across all ages, industries, and walks of life.
But many of these struggles go unseen. Especially in professional settings, people may mask their pain behind high performance, polite smiles, or a strong work ethic. That’s why Mental Health Awareness Month is so important—not just to raise awareness, but to give us permission to talk more openly, listen more carefully, and act more compassionately.
Courageous Conversations Can Save Lives
Since that day with the trainee, I’ve changed how I approach feedback, mentoring, and daily interactions. I ask the harder questions. I listen longer. I let people know it’s safe to be human around me.
You don’t have to be a therapist to support someone’s mental health. You just have to be willing to say:
“You seem a little off — how are you holding up?”
“You’ve got a lot going on — do you have the support you need?”
“I care about you, and I’m here if you ever want to talk.”
These conversations don’t need to be perfect. They just need to be real. Your empathy may be the reminder someone needs that they’re not alone — and that their life matters.
Let’s Honor Mental Health All Year Long
Mental Health Awareness Month gives us the opportunity to reflect, connect, and recommit to creating environments — at work, at home, in our communities — where it’s okay not to be okay. Where people feel safe enough to share their struggles and strong enough to seek help.
We all have a role to play. And sometimes, the smallest act of care — a check-in, a kind word, a moment of honesty — can make all the difference.
Let’s continue to build a world where mental health is honored not just in May, but every day.