The importance of Mental Health Awareness Month continues as day-to-day living becomes more difficult for some.
The organization Mental Health America (MHA) declared May as Mental Health Month in 1949. The founder of MHA, Clifford Bears, created the organization because of his own mental health struggles and those of his siblings.
The goal of the month is to promote community, encourage people to share their experiences, and raise awareness of trauma that can stem from mental health issues.
In return, a couple of major organizations have been providing resources for anyone by giving quick tips and ways to reach out for support, such as:
Over the years, mental health has become a major advocacy topic, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic, with social media playing a major role in its promotion.
In those hard times, people were encouraged to reach out and to support one another.
Taking care of yourself and those around you has become a higher priority. In fact, seeking mental health support has significantly improved. As of 2024, 70.8% of U.S adults received treatment for serious mental illnesses.
In honor of Mental Health Awareness Month, and amid student stress as finals approach, here are some resources available at Fresno State.
