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Mental Health Awareness Month (also referred to as Mental Health Month) has been observed in May in the United States since 1949. The month is observed with media, local events, and film screenings.
Mental Health Awareness Month began in the United States in and was started by Mental Health America (MHA) (then known as the National Association for Mental Health). Each year in mid-March Mental Health America releases a ''toolkit of materials'' to guide preparation for outreach activities during Mental Health Awareness Month. During the month of May, MHA, its affiliates, and other organizations interested in mental health conduct a number of activities which are based on a different theme each year. The Mental Health Month ribbon is green, symbolizing Hope, strength, and emotional support for those affected by mental illness.
Mental Health America
National Alliance for Mental Illness
(NAMI)
Brain & Behavior Research Foundation
National Institute of Mental Health
National Federation of Families for Children's Mental Health
{{psych-stub May observances Health observances Disability observances Mental health in the United States Observances in the United States Awareness months Long stubs with short prose
Mental Health Awareness Month (also referred to as Mental Health Month) has been observed in May in the United States since 1949. The month is observed with media, local events, and film screenings.
Mental Health Awareness Month began in the United States in and was started by Mental Health America (MHA) (then known as the National Association for Mental Health). Each year in mid-March Mental Health America releases a ''toolkit of materials'' to guide preparation for outreach activities during Mental Health Awareness Month. During the month of May, MHA, its affiliates, and other organizations interested in mental health conduct a number of activities which are based on a different theme each year. The Mental Health Month ribbon is green, symbolizing Hope, strength, and emotional support for those affected by mental illness.
Themes from recent years
The purpose of Mental Health Awareness Month is to raise awareness and educate the public about: mental illnesses, such as the 18.1% of Americans who suffer from depression,schizophrenia
Schizophrenia () is a mental disorder characterized variously by hallucinations (typically, Auditory hallucination#Schizophrenia, hearing voices), delusions, thought disorder, disorganized thinking and behavior, and Reduced affect display, f ...
, and bipolar disorder
Bipolar disorder (BD), previously known as manic depression, is a mental disorder characterized by periods of Depression (mood), depression and periods of abnormally elevated Mood (psychology), mood that each last from days to weeks, and in ...
; the realities of living with these conditions; and strategies for attaining mental health and wellness. It also aims to draw attention to suicide
Suicide is the act of intentionally causing one's own death.
Risk factors for suicide include mental disorders, physical disorders, and substance abuse. Some suicides are impulsive acts driven by stress (such as from financial or ac ...
, which can be precipitated by some mental illnesses. Additionally, Mental Health Awareness Month strives to reduce the stigma (negative attitudes and misconceptions) that surrounds mental illnesses. The month came about by presidential proclamation.
Mental Health America is not the only organization to run campaigns throughout May. Many other similar organizations choose to host awareness observances that coincide with Mental Health Awareness month. National Children's Mental Health Awareness Day is one such campaign. This event is sponsored by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration
The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA; pronounced ) is a branch of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). SAMHSA is charged with improving the quality and availability of treatment and rehabilitati ...
in partnership with other non-profit and advocacy organizations.
Other months and weeks throughout the year are designated to raise awareness around specific mental health conditions or the mental health of different demographic groups (Minority Mental Health Month, Mental Illness Awareness Week, National Depression Screening Day, etc.).
See also
* National Child Traumatic Stress Network (NCTSN) *Mental Illness Awareness Week
Mental Illness Awareness Week (MIAW) was established in the U.S. in 1990 recognition of efforts by the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) to educate and increase awareness about mental illness. It takes place every year during the first ful ...
(USA, first week of October)
* Mental Health Week, in Australia
* World Mental Health Day
World Mental Health Day (10 October) is an List of minor secular observances#October, international day for global mental health education, awareness and advocacy against social stigma. It was first celebrated in 1992 at the initiative of the W ...
(October 10)
References
External links
Mental Health America
National Alliance for Mental Illness
(NAMI)
Brain & Behavior Research Foundation
National Institute of Mental Health
National Federation of Families for Children's Mental Health
{{psych-stub May observances Health observances Disability observances Mental health in the United States Observances in the United States Awareness months Long stubs with short prose