Mental Health Action Day: Raising Awareness and Taking Steps

Mental Health Action Day occurs the second Tuesday of May each year, empowering individuals to take evidence-based action for mental wellness through professional therapeutic support, community awareness initiatives, and practical self-care strategies that reduce stigma and improve access to care.

Want to make a real difference in mental wellness but aren't sure where to start? Mental Health Action Day offers powerful, practical ways to support yourself and your community — discover how small actions create lasting change.

Raising Awareness On Mental Health Action Day

The key purpose of Mental Health Action Day is to raise awareness about the importance of mental health and to improve the quality and availability of resources. This day takes place on the second Tuesday of May each year. Learning how you can take action to support mental wellness in yourself and your community can be one positive way to observe this day.

The history of Mental Health Action Day

Mental Health Action Day was first observed on May 20, 2021. Its main purposes include:

• Educating people on how to recognize symptoms of common mental health conditions
• Raising awareness of available mental health services
• Reducing stigma around mental health care
• Encouraging people to come together to support each other in this way

Since this day was first recognized, a growing coalition of over 1,750 nonprofits, brands, government agencies, influential leaders, diverse cross-sector leaders, cultural leaders, and other partners from more than 32 countries have teamed up with Mental Health Is Health and the Mental Health Action Network to offer their communities support and free resources.

The founding organization of this inaugural day hopes to change public perceptions, championing the concept that mental health is as important as physical health—that it’s worth talking about and taking care of. A few official partners of this day include The Trevor Project, the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI), MTV Entertainment Group, and the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP). In the past year, the vice president of MTV Entertainment Studies partnered with Our Minds Matter (OMM) to encourage schools to take action through movement and dance with music.

World Mental Health Action Day was started due to the pandemic, showcasing how mental health crises can be seen as a “twin pandemic” or “other half” of the COVID-19 pandemic, causing silent challenges to arise. Spreading awareness can be crucial to ensuring people get the support they require.

Evidence-based approaches to improving mental health

Many evidence-based techniques can help improve your mental wellbeing. For example, research shows that regular meditation practice or daily mindfulness can significantly reduce symptoms of stress, anxiety, and depression. These practices can be incorporated using guided meditation apps or through self-directed sessions focusing on breathing and present-moment awareness.

Other effective approaches supported by research include:

• Regular physical activity and exercise
• Maintaining social connections
• Establishing healthy sleep routines
• Practicing gratitude
• Engaging in meaningful activities
• Developing healthy coping mechanisms

These approaches complement professional therapeutic interventions and can be part of a comprehensive mental wellness strategy.

Ways to take action

Talking about mental health issues can be challenging when pervasive stigmas exist surrounding social and emotional well-being. To get the conversation started, it may be helpful to share graphics on social media from organizations like the Chopra Foundation or NAMI. You can also stand up against stigma when you notice it. Reducing stigma can be a continuing fight for systemic changes, but studies suggest that destigmatization is necessary for emotional well-being and societal benefits.

How to celebrate Mental Health Action Day

The Mental Health Is Health organization suggests using the social media hashtags #MentalHealthAction on Instagram and Facebook and the tag #LetsTalkMentalHealth on TikTok to encourage and empower people to take part. Using these tags on your photos, videos, or posts can help get the message out about the movement and help decrease the stigma. You can also celebrate this day by taking one or more of the following actions.

Practice self-care

Self-care doesn’t only mean “treating yourself”. It can also mean making actionable choices that make a difference in your life and promote your own wellness and overall health. Taking care of your well-being in whatever ways are best for you can help you maintain a high level of mental health. This practice might include doing activities you love, surrounding yourself with supportive people, and setting boundaries, for example. Research also backs up the benefits of exercise, like practicing yoga, mindfulness meditation, and good sleep hygiene. In other words, self-care is the set of coping skills and activities that you personally need to maintain your own health and wellness.

Support the prevention of mental illness in youth

Youths are often at risk for mental illness. To support them on their mental health journeys, it may be helpful to get children into therapy or supportive services from a young age and to normalize talking about emotions and coping tools. Understanding intersectionality, discrimination, and bullying can also be essential, as the youth who are most impacted are often those of marginalized groups like black girls and children in the LGBTQ+ community.

Check-in on others

There are many myths and stigmas about mental health that can prevent people from recognizing and/or taking action when they need to seek care. In reality, mental health is incredibly important to overall well-being, and some conditions can carry real risks. That’s why checking in on your loved ones regularly can be so important. Letting them know that they’re not alone if they are struggling and encouraging them to seek professional support if needed can be powerful and even lifesaving.

Mental Health Is Health offers a list of ways you can support a friend who seems to be going through a hard time. They also suggest looking out for signs that someone may be experiencing challenges so that you can offer them support, such as:

• Sudden isolation or distancing
• Significant changes in habits
• Risk-taking behaviors
• Expressions of hopelessness

Educate yourself

Mental Health Action Day can also be a good opportunity to educate yourself and take some first steps toward better mental health. Even if you aren’t experiencing symptoms of a condition now, you may in the future—or you may have a friend or loved one who could benefit from this information.

There are a few statistics you can get familiar with to get started, including the following:

• 41.4 million US adults see a therapist each year.
• One in five Americans has a diagnosable mental health condition.
• Social connection is essential for mental well-being.
• Lack of healthy sleep is thought to be a leading cause of depression worldwide.
• A prolonged stress response (fight-or-flight) can cause physical illness.
• 77% of Americans have symptoms of chronic stress.
• Mental health counseling can help relieve chronic pain in some individuals.

Take a class

If you want to learn more about these challenges and their impact on individuals and society, many online and in-person classes teach about specific conditions, symptoms, and situations. For example, you might find it useful and informative to take a class on handling stress, anger management, healing from trauma, or strengthening interpersonal relationship skills.

Some therapy modalities are also offered in a class format. One example is dialectical behavior therapy (DBT), which can be done in a group, with family members, or in an individual setting. During or between sessions, you may be asked to do exercises in a workbook or track your moods as you learn more about managing thoughts and emotions. Once you’ve learned these helpful skills, you may be better equipped to manage your own mental health and encourage people to better manage theirs.

Connect with telehealth resources

If you’re looking for accessible mental health support, telehealth services like ReachLink can provide convenient access to licensed clinical social workers via secure video sessions. Telehealth breaks down traditional barriers to therapy by eliminating geographical limitations and providing greater scheduling flexibility. Whether you’re dealing with anxiety, depression, relationship issues, or simply need someone to talk to, telehealth options make it easier to take that first step toward better mental health.

Participate in Mental Health Action Day to raise awareness

On this day and throughout the year, there are a variety of in-person and virtual events that you can participate in to raise awareness about mental health in general. Some of these include:

• Suicide Prevention Month
• Volunteer opportunities with The Trevor Project for LGBTQIA+ youth
• Local mental health marches or parades for systemic change
• Fundraisers for mental health organizations in your community

Donate to an organization

There are a wide variety of organizations that are dedicated to educating people about mental health and providing important resources. By making a donation to one of these, you can help make care and information more widely available. The following are examples of organizations that do this type of important work:

• The Anxiety and Depression Association of America (ADAA)
• Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network (RAINN)
• American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP)
• The Center for Workplace Mental Health
• The YWCA for domestic violence support for women and families
• The JED Foundation for emotional health and suicide prevention

Local organizations in your area may also be looking for donations, volunteer time, or other forms of support.

Remember those who have been lost

In 2020, there were over 1.2 million suicide attempts. Of those, over 1.1 million survived, and many went on to receive support from professionals. These statistics show that reaching out for support can be powerful.

Remembering those who did not survive a suicide attempt is another way to observe Mental Health Action Day. If you have lost someone to suicide, the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention has resources for you. You might also participate in a memorial event, march, or parade for both survivors and those who have been lost to suicide.

Reach out for mental health support

Caring for your own mental health can be an important and impactful way to observe this day. If you’re experiencing distressing symptoms, have been diagnosed with a condition, or would like support in finding out how to improve your mental health overall, know that help is available. A licensed clinical social worker can assist you in understanding your feelings and any symptoms and can develop a treatment plan unique to your needs.

Many people face barriers to seeking out care, including availability and cost. One modern solution that can help reduce these obstacles is telehealth therapy through services like ReachLink. Sessions take place via secure video conferencing, making mental health support accessible from anywhere you have an internet connection and a working device. Studies suggest that online and in-person therapy can offer similar benefits in many cases, so you can typically choose the format that feels most comfortable for you.

Takeaway

Mental Health Action Day takes place each May and is a reminder of the importance of mental health awareness. The goal behind this day is to empower individuals to seek support for mental health concerns without stigma. To observe Mental Health Action Day, you might support a related organization, check in on a friend, and/or seek support for yourself through accessible telehealth options like ReachLink that connect you with licensed clinical social workers who can provide the guidance and support you need on your mental health journey.

FAQ

• How can therapy support mental health awareness and action?

  Therapy provides a safe space to develop self-awareness, identify patterns in thoughts and behaviors, and learn practical coping strategies. Through evidence-based approaches like CBT and DBT, therapy helps individuals understand their mental health needs and take meaningful steps toward wellness.

• What signs indicate someone should consider seeking therapy?

  Consider therapy if you experience persistent sadness, anxiety, difficulty managing daily activities, relationship challenges, sleep disturbances, or feeling overwhelmed. Therapy can also be beneficial during major life transitions or when seeking personal growth and improved coping skills.

• How does telehealth therapy make mental health care more accessible?

  Telehealth therapy eliminates geographical barriers and reduces scheduling conflicts, making it easier to maintain consistent sessions. It provides privacy from home, reduces stigma concerns, and allows access to specialized therapists who might not be available locally, all while maintaining the same therapeutic effectiveness as in-person sessions.

• What therapeutic approaches are most effective for mental wellness?

  Evidence-based therapies like Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), and person-centered therapy have shown strong effectiveness. The best approach depends on individual needs, with many therapists using integrative methods that combine techniques from multiple therapeutic modalities.

• How can someone take the first step toward getting mental health support?

  Start by acknowledging that seeking help is a sign of strength. Research licensed therapists in your area or through telehealth platforms, read reviews, and schedule initial consultations. Many therapists offer brief phone calls to discuss your needs and determine if they're a good fit before committing to sessions.