May is Mental Health Awareness Month, dedicated to promoting mental wellbeing, reducing stigma, and encouraging support for those affected by mental health conditions. The 2026 theme, “More Good Days, Together,” highlights the importance of connection, understanding, and access to the right resources for individuals and communities alike.
May is Mental Health Awareness Month, an annual observance founded by Mental Health America in 1949 to emphasize the importance of mental wellbeing, educate the public, reduce stigma and promote support for those affected by mental health conditions. Each year, individuals and organizations unite to raise awareness and advocate for better access to mental health care and resources.
The 2026 theme, “More Good Days, Together,” encourages us to reflect on what a “good day” looks like, for ourselves, our families, our coworkers, and our communities. By supporting one another and connecting people to the right resources at the right time, we can help create more good days for everyone.
Mental health awareness plays an important role in reducing stigma, encouraging understanding, empathy, and early intervention. When conversations around mental health are normalized, people are more likely to seek help, support others, and prioritize their overall well-being.
While progress has been made, millions of people in the U.S. still lack access to quality mental health care. According to National Council for Mental Wellbeing, the following statistics highlight the continued need for awareness and support:
• 1 in 5 U.S. adults experiences mental illness annually.
• 1 in 20 U.S. adults experiences serious mental illness each year.
• More than 1 in 7 U.S. youth ages 6-17 experience a mental health disorder each year.
• 50% of all lifetime mental illness begins by age 14, and 75% by age 24.
• In 2023, 20% of all high school students seriously considered suicide.
• Suicide is the 2nd leading cause of death among people ages 10-24.
• Approximately 21 million adults have experienced at least one major depressive episode.
This month serves as a reminder that mental health matters every day. A simple conversation, a moment of encouragement, or access to the right support can make a meaningful difference in someone’s life.
“Mental Health Awareness Month is important because so many times it gets overlooked unless something major happens, like a death by suicide or a celebrity having some sort of a breakdown. Mental health is health and deserves to be put on the forefront just like the other illnesses we recognize throughout the year. The more we put it out front, the less stigma and the more normalized it becomes.”
– Mental health advocate and author Achea Red