Honoring Mental Health Awareness Month

Since 1949, the United States has recognized May as Mental Health Awareness Month. 

As a psychiatric practice, bonmente is well aware that although a month of awareness is amazing, mental health issues don’t care about the calendar. We know that for many Americans and people around the world, busy schedules and other life demands can blur the focus on mental wellbeing. But by celebrating Mental Health Awareness month, we have a chance to shine a light on the importance of mental health. 

Mental health is foundational to our overall well-being, yet stigma, misinformation, and isolation still prevent millions from seeking the help they need. 

We here at bonmente believe that education, empathy, and access to quality care through services like telepsychiatry are essential for fostering better mental health in America.

This May, we remind ourselves of our commitment to awareness, support, and advocacy. Mental health should not be an afterthought, but rather top of mind every month of the year.

Why Mental Health Awareness Month Matters

Since its establishment in 1949, this monthlong observance has been part of a greater mission to increase understanding of mental health conditions, promote mental wellness, reduce stigma for seeking care, and advocate for accessible care. 

One in 5 adults in the United States experience mental illness each year. Many more people deal with emotional or psychological stress that can take a toll on mental health, especially when untreated. 

When people do not address mental health conditions, they are basically asking the mind to fend for itself. Keeping a problem in the dark can sometimes only make it more intense, leaving the person feeling isolated, ashamed, or powerless. 

Awareness of the importance of getting a handle on the mental health issue is the first step to breaking that harmful cycle.

A Silent Epidemic

Mental illness comes in many forms. 

Depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, PTSD, OCD, schizophrenia, and eating disorders are just some examples. 

Mental health conditions are actually medical issues that affect how a person thinks, feels, and functions. To say “it’s all in your head” is misleading, because the reality is that brain health affects the body’s most-crucial organ. 

Here are some facts to be aware of: 

• Depression is the leading cause of disability worldwide.
• Anxiety disorders affect almost one-fifth of U.S. adults. 
• Suicide occured once every eleven minutes in 2023, according to a report by the CDC.
• About half of people with any mental illness don’t receive treatment.

These are troubling statistics, of course, but the hope is that mental health awareness can help mitigate the mental health crisis by encouraging people to get treatment that can help them live a mentally healthier life. 

Destigmatizing Mental Health Issues and Treatment

In mental health care, stigma and misunderstandings and stereotypes can discourage people from getting treatment that will make their lives demonstrably better. 

Fear of judgment or being seen as weak or strange can be a barrier to health, just as being told to “walk it off” can be counterproductive to someone with a broken leg. 

Changing the conversation in people’s daily lives starts with how we speak, how we listen, and how we show up for one another.

Ways to Participate in Mental Health Awareness Month

Whether you’re looking to improve your own mental wellness or support someone else, here are a few powerful ways to get involved this May:

Take Care of Your Own Mental Health:

Self-care is not selfish, as in fact being mentally well can help better position you to help others deal with their own mental health struggles.

Educate Yourself and Others:

Understand the signs and symptoms of common conditions.

Practice Empathy:

While listening, prioritize helping over judging. You don’t have to have all the answers—just be present and supportive, with an aim to encourage better mental health.

Support Mental Health Organizations:

Donating to or volunteering with nonprofits advocating for mental health care access, research, and education can help expand life-saving services.

Our Commitment to Mental Wellness

At bonmente, we offer evidence-based personalized psychiatric care that is accessible, compassionate, and rooted in the belief that healing is always possible.

Here’s what sets us apart:

• Telepsychiatry: We are licensed to practice telepsychiatry for residents of California, Arizona, and Florida. We meet you where you are—no long commutes, no waiting rooms. Just expert care from the comfort of your own space, with a secure telepsych platform. 
• Modern Medication Management: Our mental health care providers know the latest treatments and therapies to give patients optimal individualized support.
• Whole-Person Approach: Our team collaborates in everything from medication management to choosing therapeutic approaches, so that you get a thoughtful mental health treatment plan based on different areas of expertise. 
• Judgment-Free Zone: Whether you’re dealing with stress, trauma, or a diagnosed condition, you’ll be met with respect, not labels.

Looking Ahead: Building a Mentally Healthier Future

Mental Health Awareness Month raises awareness to create lasting change. Challenging stigma, increasing access to care, and fostering supportive environments can result. 

Healing is possible with the right help, the right tools, and the right support.

Need mental health treatment? Contact bonmente to get started.