May Mental Health Awareness Month – Toolkit
The key messages and weekly themes outlined below provide a foundation from which partners can develop messages that resonate with their specific audiences. Feel free to use the themes and key messages to develop your own posts throughout the month. If you prefer, pre-crafted social media content is also available. Images are linked with the key messages that correspond. Thanks in advance for your participation!
Week 1: May 1-5
The focus this week will be on spreading acceptance, compassion, and support for the people we know and love who are experiencing mental health challenges. Language matters: let’s work together to use person-first language and avoid derogatory terms.
Key dates:
May 1 – Launch the month with an initial awareness month post.
May 5th – Silence the shame day, fostering discussions on mental health and wellness, nurturing relationships with loved ones, and combating the stigma around mental illness.
Key messages:
We play a part in one another’s mental wellness. When it comes to mental health, small actions equal big impact.
- If you are worried about your mental health or are worried about someone you know, talking about mental health helps promote acceptance and encourages people to seek help.
- Whether we share resources, encourage others to seek help, or simply are there for someone when they need us, we instill hope and can help others to reach out when they need to most.
- Language matters. The language we use to talk about mental health can either perpetuate prejudice and discrimination or promote acceptance and compassion. When it comes to mental health, words matter.
- It is up to each of us to be a lifeline, sharing in a commitment to care for ourselves and those around us.
- When we use open and compassionate language around mental health issues, we empower ourselves and encourage others to find the help they need.
Mental Health Awareness Month – Announcement Image
Post Copy – Facebook/Instagram/LinkedIn: May is Mental Health Awareness Month. Mental Health Awareness Month was established in 1949 to increase awareness of the importance of mental health and wellness in Americans’ lives and to celebrate recovery from mental illness. Share and interact with these posts – small actions can make a big impact. #mentalhealthmatters #mentalhealthishealth #Together4MH #MHAM2024
Post Copy – Facebook/Instagram/LinkedIn: Our words matter. Get tips on how to start a conversation about mental health with a friend or loved one: samhsa.gov/mental-health/how-to-talk/friends-and-family-members #mentalhealthmatters #mentalhealthishealth #Together4MH #MHAM2024
Post Copy – Facebook/Instagram/LinkedIn: Take care of your friends and your loved ones by checking in on them and having open conversations about mental health. Learn more: samhsa.gov/mental-health/how-to-talk/friends-and-family-members #mentalhealthmatters #mentalhealthishealth #Together4MH #MHAM2024
Post Copy – Facebook/Instagram/LinkedIn: Today we are spreading acceptance, compassion, and support for the people we know and love who are experiencing mental health challenges. When we use open and compassionate language around mental health issues, we empower ourselves and encourage others to find the help they need. #mentalhealthmatters #mentalhealthishealth #Together4MH #MHAM2024
Week 2: May 5-11
The focus will be on clinical mental health counselors this week. There are many different kinds of mental health providers. Each has a place at the table. In Iowa, licensed mental health counselors, designated by the letters “LMHC,” have obtained a defined skill-set to be mental health professionals. Mental health counselors use a practical and problem-solving approach to provide quality and cost-effective care. While the mental health counselors of Iowa offer their clients unique and attentive care tailored to each individual, we at IMHCA strive to provide these professionals with the support, opportunities, and advocacy they need to advance their knowledge and improve the care they offer their clients today.
Key dates:
May 6 – World Maternal Mental Health Day
May 6-10 – National Lawyer Well-Being Week or Well-Being Week in Law (Lawyer Wellbeing Image)
May 9 – National Children’s Mental Health Awareness Day. See more at the National Child Traumatic Stress Network website. They have resources for many people who many intersect the life of a child.
Key messages:
Clinical Mental Health Counselors are appreciated and recognized for their contributions to the health of our communities.
- Counselors in this state are licensed and well trained to meet the needs of those who need mental health services.
- Counselors have areas of expertise to address mental health conditions and concerns.
- There are many paths to seeking services from a clinical mental health counselor.
Mental Health Counselors Week Announcement
Post Copy – Facebook/Instagram/LinkedIn: This week we highlight the contributions of clinical mental health counselors. Clinical mental health counseling is a distinct profession with national standards for education, training and clinical practice. Clinical mental health counselors are highly-skilled professionals who provide flexible, consumer-oriented therapy that creates a dynamic and efficient path for change and problem resolution.
Post Copy – Facebook/Instagram/LinkedIn: Mental health is health and deserves to be given the priority and effort that our physical health gets. Clinical Mental Health Counselors can help you make this a priority. #mentalhealthmatters #mentalhealthishealth #Together4MH #MHAM2024
Children’s Mental Health Awareness Image
Post Copy – Facebook/Instagram/LinkedIn: Today is National Children’s Mental Health Awareness Day. This is a special day for all of us to recognize that our children’s mental health matters! When a child is experiencing mental health challenges it impacts their family as well. Text or call 988 or chat 988lifeline.org for free, confidential support 24/7. If a young person in your life is going through a tough time, remind them that there’s always help and hope. #NCMHAD #Together4MH #988Lifeline #ACF #MHAM2024
Week 3: May 12-18
This week is National Prevention Week. The focus will be on taking care of your own mental health and keeping people and communities safe. This will include self-care topics. Tell us: What does self-care look like to you?
Key dates:
May 12 – National Mental Health Provider Appreciation Day. Wear your green and send us pictures!
May 16 – Mental Health Action Day with Mental Health America. The theme: “Be seen in Green.” Wearing green is more than just a color; it’s a statement of support and a call to action. By participating, you’re making a bright and bold statement: “I care about mental health!”
Key messages:
Self-care is important for your mental health.
- Despite life’s stressors, there are many things that you can do to maintain positive mental health, including self-care.
- Mental health is essential to your overall health and quality of life.
- When you take care of yourself, your physical and emotional health improve; you become more resilient and can find ways to manage stress in a healthy and positive way.
- Taking care of yourself is an essential part of your mental health. What does self-care look like to you?
Wear green for mental health provider appreciation day.
Post Copy – Facebook/Instagram/LinkedIn: Wear green with me on May 12, 2024 to bring awareness to mental health. #mentalhealthmatters #mentalhealthishealth #Together4MH #MHAM2024
Take photos of yourself in your green or your favorite mental health themed shirts and accessories and send them to imhcaexecutivedirector@gmail.com to see them featured on our social media.
Mental Health Matters – Take care of your mental health image.
Post Copy – Facebook/Instagram/LinkedIn: The term “self-care” can be given to many tasks. The important thing is that they recharge and invigorate you. Get something done off your to-do list, set a boundary that brings energy, or relax in your favorite spot. #mentalhealthmatters #mentalhealthishealth #Together4MH #MHAM2024
Week 4: May 19-25
This week, our goal will be to encourage individuals to seek help if they need it, as well as showing the importance of supporting others by offering words of encouragement and celebrating small successes.
Key dates:
May 19- World Meditation Day & National Barber Mental Health Day
May 24 – World Schizophrenia Day
Key messages:
Let’s support each other and make it okay to reach out and seek help whenever we need it.
- Be aware of the signs and symptoms of mental health issues so that we can all work together to support one another.
- If you are worried about your mental health or are worried about someone you know, there are resources and people out there who are willing to help, no matter what your situation is.
- Whether we share resources, encourage others to seek help or simply are there for someone when they need us, we instill hope and can help other to reach out when they need it most.
Post Copy – All Platforms: Whether we share resources, encourage others to seek help or simply are there for someone when they need us, we instill hope and can help other to reach out when they need it most. #mentalhealthmatters #mentalhealthishealth #Together4MH #MHAM2024
Week 5: May 26-31
We will end the month by focusing on hope and positivity and supporting one another by sharing key resources during May and beyond.
Key messages:
No matter the situation, there is always help and there is always hope.
- No matter how tough things may seem right now, there is always help available. If you or someone you know is in distress or crisis, call #988 for immediate access to mental health services.
- If you are worried about your mental health or are worried about someone you know, there are resources and people out there who are willing to help, no matter what your situation is.
- Whether we share resources, encourage others to seek help or simply are there for someone when they need us, we instill hope and can help other to reach out when they need it most.
Post Copy – Facebook/Instagram/LinkedIn: Hope is an important feature to resilience and grit. No matter how tough things may seem right now, there is always help available. If you or someone you know is in distress or crisis, call #988 for immediate access to mental health services. #mentalhealthmatters #mentalhealthishealth #Together4MH #MHAM2024