Why mental health awareness matters & how to be a mental health advocate in your community

Hazel Editorial Team

Editorial Team

May is Mental Health Awareness Month, a time to raise awareness and reduce the stigma surrounding mental health. It is a time to discuss the importance of mental health and well-being.

Mental Health Awareness Month was started in 1949 to support individuals with mental illness and educate the public on the importance of behavioral health. Throughout May, organizations join forces to shine a spotlight on mental health and well-being to fight the stigma associated with mental illness.

While it's essential to highlight mental health during May, we must continue fostering an open dialogue about mental health all year long. Especially important is calling attention to the youth mental health crisis and coming together to find sustainable, affordable, accessible, and equitable solutions.

‍

Why youth mental health matters

What is mental health, and why does it matter? How does it affect youth? Per the CDC, mental health encompasses our emotional, psychological, and social well-being, influencing how we think, feel, and act. It helps determine how we handle stress, relate to others, feel about ourselves and our lives, and make healthy choices. Mental health is vital at every stage of life and mental health and physical health are equally important for an individual's overall well-being.

Youth mental health right now is in crisis. A problem that has been steadily growing for decades has now reached a boiling point, with 44% of youth experiencing persistent feelings of sadness or hopelessness and 19.9% having seriously considered suicide.

Improving youth mental health will require a steadfast commitment to solutions that improve access to care and connectedness. But interventions alone will not suffice. Conversations about mental health must become more commonplace to reduce the stigma and increase awareness. Open conversations are what will drive young people to seek support.

The more we normalize talking about mental health and the more we advocate for services and solutions, the more lasting change and improvement in outcomes we will see.

‍

What mental health awareness looks like

Mental health awareness probably means something different to every person you ask. To us at Hazel Health, it means fostering an understanding and open dialogue around:

What mental health is and the prevalence of mental health challenges
The stigma that exists and how it affects youth well-being and access to care
How mental health affects an individual's overall health, academic outcomes, sense of self and feelings about their life
The barriers to mental health treatment and support including how social determinants of health impact access
The resources and interventions that are currently available to support youth

‍

Normalizing mental health and combating stigma

A key pillar of mental health awareness is reducing stigma against people with mental health challenges. Stigma refers to the negative stereotypes that people hold about mental illness, as well as the discriminatory behaviors that the stigmas perpetuate.

For young people, this can include beliefs that they are simply moody, acting out for attention, or that their struggles are not legitimate. Additionally, stigmas can perpetuate the idea that youth with mental health challenges are prone to being violent or disruptive. This disproportionately affects youth and adults in communities of color.

Stigma causes young people to feel ashamed and can prevent them from seeking the help they need. Stigmas force young people into secrecy, to experience their challenges alone.

Talking about mental health is one way to combat stigma – when a young person knows someone else with a mental health challenge, when they realize they are not alone in what they’re experiencing, they are more likely to talk about what they’re going through. Seeking support becomes less scary.

The National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) provides recommendations to help reduce the stigma of mental illness:

Talk openly about mental health with friends, family, and peers. Be a leader in fostering an open dialogue.
Educate yourself and others by responding to misconceptions or negative comments by sharing facts and experiences.
Be conscious of language and remind people that words matter.
Encourage equality between physical and mental illness – draw comparisons to how they would treat someone with cancer or diabetes.
Show compassion for those with mental illness.
Be honest about treatment and normalize mental health treatment, just like other health care treatment.
Let the media know when they are using language that presents mental illness in a stigmatizing way.
Choose empowerment over shame, sharing “I fight stigma by choosing to …"

High school peer group discussing mental health

Hazel Editorial Team

Editorial Team

May is Mental Health Awareness Month, a time to raise awareness and reduce the stigma surrounding mental health. It is a time to discuss the importance of mental health and well-being.

Mental Health Awareness Month was started in 1949 to support individuals with mental illness and educate the public on the importance of behavioral health. Throughout May, organizations join forces to shine a spotlight on mental health and well-being to fight the stigma associated with mental illness.

While it's essential to highlight mental health during May, we must continue fostering an open dialogue about mental health all year long. Especially important is calling attention to the youth mental health crisis and coming together to find sustainable, affordable, accessible, and equitable solutions.

‍

Why youth mental health matters

What is mental health, and why does it matter? How does it affect youth? Per the CDC, mental health encompasses our emotional, psychological, and social well-being, influencing how we think, feel, and act. It helps determine how we handle stress, relate to others, feel about ourselves and our lives, and make healthy choices. Mental health is vital at every stage of life and mental health and physical health are equally important for an individual's overall well-being.

Youth mental health right now is in crisis. A problem that has been steadily growing for decades has now reached a boiling point, with 44% of youth experiencing persistent feelings of sadness or hopelessness and 19.9% having seriously considered suicide.

Improving youth mental health will require a steadfast commitment to solutions that improve access to care and connectedness. But interventions alone will not suffice. Conversations about mental health must become more commonplace to reduce the stigma and increase awareness. Open conversations are what will drive young people to seek support.

The more we normalize talking about mental health and the more we advocate for services and solutions, the more lasting change and improvement in outcomes we will see.

‍

What mental health awareness looks like

Mental health awareness probably means something different to every person you ask. To us at Hazel Health, it means fostering an understanding and open dialogue around:

What mental health is and the prevalence of mental health challenges
The stigma that exists and how it affects youth well-being and access to care
How mental health affects an individual's overall health, academic outcomes, sense of self and feelings about their life
The barriers to mental health treatment and support including how social determinants of health impact access
The resources and interventions that are currently available to support youth

‍

Normalizing mental health and combating stigma

A key pillar of mental health awareness is reducing stigma against people with mental health challenges. Stigma refers to the negative stereotypes that people hold about mental illness, as well as the discriminatory behaviors that the stigmas perpetuate.

For young people, this can include beliefs that they are simply moody, acting out for attention, or that their struggles are not legitimate. Additionally, stigmas can perpetuate the idea that youth with mental health challenges are prone to being violent or disruptive. This disproportionately affects youth and adults in communities of color.

Stigma causes young people to feel ashamed and can prevent them from seeking the help they need. Stigmas force young people into secrecy, to experience their challenges alone.

Talking about mental health is one way to combat stigma – when a young person knows someone else with a mental health challenge, when they realize they are not alone in what they’re experiencing, they are more likely to talk about what they’re going through. Seeking support becomes less scary.

The National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) provides recommendations to help reduce the stigma of mental illness:

Talk openly about mental health with friends, family, and peers. Be a leader in fostering an open dialogue.
Educate yourself and others by responding to misconceptions or negative comments by sharing facts and experiences.
Be conscious of language and remind people that words matter.
Encourage equality between physical and mental illness – draw comparisons to how they would treat someone with cancer or diabetes.
Show compassion for those with mental illness.
Be honest about treatment and normalize mental health treatment, just like other health care treatment.
Let the media know when they are using language that presents mental illness in a stigmatizing way.
Choose empowerment over shame, sharing “I fight stigma by choosing to …"

Hazel Editorial Team

Editorial Team

May is Mental Health Awareness Month, a time to raise awareness and reduce the stigma surrounding mental health. It is a time to discuss the importance of mental health and well-being.

Mental Health Awareness Month was started in 1949 to support individuals with mental illness and educate the public on the importance of behavioral health. Throughout May, organizations join forces to shine a spotlight on mental health and well-being to fight the stigma associated with mental illness.

While it's essential to highlight mental health during May, we must continue fostering an open dialogue about mental health all year long. Especially important is calling attention to the youth mental health crisis and coming together to find sustainable, affordable, accessible, and equitable solutions.

‍

Why youth mental health matters

What is mental health, and why does it matter? How does it affect youth? Per the CDC, mental health encompasses our emotional, psychological, and social well-being, influencing how we think, feel, and act. It helps determine how we handle stress, relate to others, feel about ourselves and our lives, and make healthy choices. Mental health is vital at every stage of life and mental health and physical health are equally important for an individual's overall well-being.

Youth mental health right now is in crisis. A problem that has been steadily growing for decades has now reached a boiling point, with 44% of youth experiencing persistent feelings of sadness or hopelessness and 19.9% having seriously considered suicide.

Improving youth mental health will require a steadfast commitment to solutions that improve access to care and connectedness. But interventions alone will not suffice. Conversations about mental health must become more commonplace to reduce the stigma and increase awareness. Open conversations are what will drive young people to seek support.

The more we normalize talking about mental health and the more we advocate for services and solutions, the more lasting change and improvement in outcomes we will see.

‍

What mental health awareness looks like

Mental health awareness probably means something different to every person you ask. To us at Hazel Health, it means fostering an understanding and open dialogue around:

What mental health is and the prevalence of mental health challenges
The stigma that exists and how it affects youth well-being and access to care
How mental health affects an individual's overall health, academic outcomes, sense of self and feelings about their life
The barriers to mental health treatment and support including how social determinants of health impact access
The resources and interventions that are currently available to support youth

‍

Normalizing mental health and combating stigma

A key pillar of mental health awareness is reducing stigma against people with mental health challenges. Stigma refers to the negative stereotypes that people hold about mental illness, as well as the discriminatory behaviors that the stigmas perpetuate.

For young people, this can include beliefs that they are simply moody, acting out for attention, or that their struggles are not legitimate. Additionally, stigmas can perpetuate the idea that youth with mental health challenges are prone to being violent or disruptive. This disproportionately affects youth and adults in communities of color.

Stigma causes young people to feel ashamed and can prevent them from seeking the help they need. Stigmas force young people into secrecy, to experience their challenges alone.

Talking about mental health is one way to combat stigma – when a young person knows someone else with a mental health challenge, when they realize they are not alone in what they’re experiencing, they are more likely to talk about what they’re going through. Seeking support becomes less scary.

The National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) provides recommendations to help reduce the stigma of mental illness:

Talk openly about mental health with friends, family, and peers. Be a leader in fostering an open dialogue.
Educate yourself and others by responding to misconceptions or negative comments by sharing facts and experiences.
Be conscious of language and remind people that words matter.
Encourage equality between physical and mental illness – draw comparisons to how they would treat someone with cancer or diabetes.
Show compassion for those with mental illness.
Be honest about treatment and normalize mental health treatment, just like other health care treatment.
Let the media know when they are using language that presents mental illness in a stigmatizing way.
Choose empowerment over shame, sharing “I fight stigma by choosing to …"

May is Mental Health Awareness Month, a time to raise awareness and reduce the stigma surrounding mental health. It is a time to discuss the importance of mental health and well-being.

Mental Health Awareness Month was started in 1949 to support individuals with mental illness and educate the public on the importance of behavioral health. Throughout May, organizations join forces to shine a spotlight on mental health and well-being to fight the stigma associated with mental illness.

While it's essential to highlight mental health during May, we must continue fostering an open dialogue about mental health all year long. Especially important is calling attention to the youth mental health crisis and coming together to find sustainable, affordable, accessible, and equitable solutions.

‍

Why youth mental health matters

What is mental health, and why does it matter? How does it affect youth? Per the CDC, mental health encompasses our emotional, psychological, and social well-being, influencing how we think, feel, and act. It helps determine how we handle stress, relate to others, feel about ourselves and our lives, and make healthy choices. Mental health is vital at every stage of life and mental health and physical health are equally important for an individual's overall well-being.

Youth mental health right now is in crisis. A problem that has been steadily growing for decades has now reached a boiling point, with 44% of youth experiencing persistent feelings of sadness or hopelessness and 19.9% having seriously considered suicide.

Improving youth mental health will require a steadfast commitment to solutions that improve access to care and connectedness. But interventions alone will not suffice. Conversations about mental health must become more commonplace to reduce the stigma and increase awareness. Open conversations are what will drive young people to seek support.

The more we normalize talking about mental health and the more we advocate for services and solutions, the more lasting change and improvement in outcomes we will see.

‍

What mental health awareness looks like

Mental health awareness probably means something different to every person you ask. To us at Hazel Health, it means fostering an understanding and open dialogue around:

What mental health is and the prevalence of mental health challenges
The stigma that exists and how it affects youth well-being and access to care
How mental health affects an individual's overall health, academic outcomes, sense of self and feelings about their life
The barriers to mental health treatment and support including how social determinants of health impact access
The resources and interventions that are currently available to support youth

‍

Normalizing mental health and combating stigma

A key pillar of mental health awareness is reducing stigma against people with mental health challenges. Stigma refers to the negative stereotypes that people hold about mental illness, as well as the discriminatory behaviors that the stigmas perpetuate.

For young people, this can include beliefs that they are simply moody, acting out for attention, or that their struggles are not legitimate. Additionally, stigmas can perpetuate the idea that youth with mental health challenges are prone to being violent or disruptive. This disproportionately affects youth and adults in communities of color.

Stigma causes young people to feel ashamed and can prevent them from seeking the help they need. Stigmas force young people into secrecy, to experience their challenges alone.

Talking about mental health is one way to combat stigma – when a young person knows someone else with a mental health challenge, when they realize they are not alone in what they’re experiencing, they are more likely to talk about what they’re going through. Seeking support becomes less scary.

The National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) provides recommendations to help reduce the stigma of mental illness:

Talk openly about mental health with friends, family, and peers. Be a leader in fostering an open dialogue.
Educate yourself and others by responding to misconceptions or negative comments by sharing facts and experiences.
Be conscious of language and remind people that words matter.
Encourage equality between physical and mental illness – draw comparisons to how they would treat someone with cancer or diabetes.
Show compassion for those with mental illness.
Be honest about treatment and normalize mental health treatment, just like other health care treatment.
Let the media know when they are using language that presents mental illness in a stigmatizing way.
Choose empowerment over shame, sharing “I fight stigma by choosing to …"

Hazel Health Chief Health Officer, Dr. Travis Gayles, recommends harnessing the power of peer pressure for positive outcomes by launching a peer ambassador program

"Normalize and destigmatize the need to seek preventative measures and mental health support by making it a part of the everyday conversation at school."

Read the op-ed ->

How to expand mental health awareness in your community

We all are responsible for bringing this conversation back to our communities, and circles of friends and families. Improving mental health awareness requires actions from all of us. Here are some ways to get involved:

‍

Share your story

Opening up to others about your own experiences with mental illness can be powerful in breaking down stigma. By talking openly and candidly about mental health, you can encourage others to do the same. Sharing our experiences can help to normalize conversations about mental health and mental illness.

‍

Share mental health resources

Social media is a powerful tool for connecting people and sharing information. By sharing mental health resources on your platforms, you can help to reach those who may be in need. Here are some organizations and places you can look to for resources:

‍

Take care of yourself

Practicing self-care is a great way to prioritize your mental health. Make sure to move your body regularly, eat a healthy diet, and engage in activities and interactions that bring you joy and peace.

‍

Check-in on friends and family

Checking in on your friends and family regularly can make all the difference for those struggling with their mental health. Ask how they are feeling and offer your support without judgment. Letting them know they have someone in their corner can be a huge help.

‍

By sharing our experiences, providing resources, and taking care of ourselves and others, we can work towards creating a society that prioritizes mental health and well-being. It is time to start normalizing conversations about mental health and working towards lasting change. Let's commit to raising awareness, promoting access to care, and advocating for solutions to help youth overcome the challenges they face.

Download Document

Oops! Something went wrong while submitting the form.

About Hazel

Hazel Health, the leader in school-based telehealth, partners with school districts to provide mental and physical health services to K-12 students where they are–at school or home. Hazel’s diverse, culturally competent providers specialize in the health challenges of children and teens and partner with parents and school staff to make the best care decisions for students. Hazel is committed to improving health care equity and is available regardless of family income, geography, insurance status, or ability to pay. Hazel’s mission is to transform children’s access to health care, because when students feel better, they learn better.

Learn more at hazel.co.

About Hazel

Hazel Health is the nation’s largest and most trusted provider of school-based telehealth. By partnering with districts and health plans across the country, Hazel transforms schools into the most accessible front door to pediatric healthcare. Today, Hazel’s licensed providers deliver teletherapy and virtual care (in school or at home) to over four million K-12 students, regardless of their insurance status or ability to pay. Hazel aims to remove all barriers to the mental and physical health care that children need to thrive: in school, at home, and in life.

Learn more at hazel.co.

About Hazel

Hazel Health, the leader in school-based telehealth, partners with school districts to provide mental and physical health services to K-12 students where they are–at school or home. Hazel serves nearly 2 million students across 100 school districts, helping to reduce chronic absenteeism and unfinished learning by addressing gaps in health care access. As an extension of the school health team, Hazel helps schools immediately address student physical and mental health care needs. Hazel’s mission is to transform children’s access to health care because when students feel better, they learn better.

Learn more at Hazel.co/hazel-in-schools.

About Hazel

Hazel Health, the leader in school-based telehealth, partners with school districts to provide mental and physical health services to K-12 students where they are–at school or home. Hazel helps school districts address chronic absenteeism, unfinished learning, and school enrollment, by addressing gaps in health care access.

Learn more at Hazel.co/hazel-in-schools.

About Hazel

Hazel Health, the leader in school-based telehealth, partners with school districts and families to provide mental and physical health services to K-12 students where they are–at school or home. Instead of waiting for an appointment with a doctor or therapist, children can see a Hazel provider for a telehealth visit, at no cost to families. With guardian permission, Hazel’s telehealth platform allows children to connect with a health care provider within minutes, or a therapist within days of referral. Hazel’s providers can help with everything from allergies and stomach aches to anxiety and depression. With Hazel, children can get the care they need when they need it.

Learn more at Hazel.co/how-hazel-works.

About Hazel

Hazel Health, the leader in school-based telehealth, partners with school districts and families to provide mental and physical health services to K-12 students where they are–at school or home. At no cost, and regardless of insurance status, Hazel’s providers can help with everything from allergies and stomach aches to anxiety and depression. With Hazel, children can get the care they need when they need it.

Learn more at Hazel.co/how-hazel-works.