May means you’re probably hearing more people talk about mental health awareness, and that’s a good thing. But let’s be real – mental health isn’t a once-a-year conversation. It’s something many of us navigate every single day, sometimes out loud and sometimes in silence.
🤔 Did you know?
▪️As many as 1 in 8 people worldwide live with a mental health condition. Yet 85% of people with mental disorders receive no treatment at all. [archived link]
▪️In the United States, over half (54.7%) of adults [archived link] with a mental illness do not receive treatment, totaling over 28 million individuals and that’s a lot of people struggling without support. This gap in treatment-seeking is even higher for low-income households and people who are minoritized on the basis of their ethnicity, language, gender, sexuality, perceived ability, and even age.
Mental health affects all of us and doesn’t always show up as a crisis.
Sometimes it’s:
😶 Feeling off, but not knowing why
📱 Ignoring texts because everything feels too loud
😴 Wanting rest, but not being able to fully relax
💤 Sleeping too much (more than 9 hours) or too little (fewer than 7 hours) on a regular basis
📆 Just trying to get through the next hour
So here’s a soft reminder:
Be real with yourself — whatever that looks like today.
If you’re not sure where to start, here are a few small things that might help:
🌤 Step outside for five minutes.
📲 Text someone who makes you feel seen.
📝 Cross one thing off your to-do list.
🛌 Let yourself rest without guilt.
None of these are cures. But they do help.
And you don’t have to do it all — just something.
💛 You’re allowed to take up space, even when you’re not at your best. Keep in mind, “your best” can look different each day!
Please note: If you or a loved one need additional resources, Mental Health America (MHA) offers a great way to search for resources. And if you need immediate assistance, please contact the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 988 OR 1-800-273-8255 (Español: 1-888-628-9454; Hearing Support: 1-800-799-4889) or the Crisis Text Line by texting HOME to 741741.
Resources:
Those Nerdy Girls – How do I find a therapist?
CDC – Mental Health [archived link]
SAMHSA – Mental Health
