Mental Health Awareness Month May 2023

Each year millions of people navigate life with a mental or behavioral health challenge. This issue hits especially close to home in Kentucky. In 2021, 43.6% of adult Kentuckians reported experiencing symptoms of anxiety or depression and 22.8% were unable to access counseling or services, according to data reported by the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI). Throughout National Mental Health Awareness Month (MHAM), celebrated each year during the month of May, Behavioral Health Wellness Environments for Living and Learning (BH WELL) unites with the movement to raise awareness and reduce stigma surrounding mental and behavioral health. 

For 2023’s Mental Health Awareness Month, BH WELL invites you to become a mental health advocate in 3 ways:

1. Share Resources

• Check out BH WELL’s resource page. BH WELL provides a variety of resources for individuals, health care providers, and behavioral health organizations. Some of our resources are tailored for a certain audience while others are designed with the general public in mind. We have something for everyone from coloring books for kids, comic books for college aged students, trainings for health professionals, and much more. Sharing these resources with a family member, friend, or coworker can bring hope.
• Join the 11th Annual KY Gives Day 2023 on May 9, 2023. KY Gives Day is an opportunity for Kentuckians to come together to make online donations to Kentucky charities in an effort to raise as much money as possible in 24 hours. Learn more here. 
• Become a mental health advocate with the National Alliance on Mental Health (NAMI). Your voice makes a difference! Learn more here.

2. Wear Green

• Green is the international color for mental health awareness. Wear green throughout the month to show your support and look for opportunities to strike up a conversation with someone about your color choice.

3. Start the Conversation

• Reducing stigma surrounding mental and behavioral health challenges can be done through a simple conversation. We encourage you to share your own experiences with someone you care about or offer a listening ear to someone in need.
• Help spread the word on social media! Share awareness information, images and graphics for #MHAM throughout May.

Together we can advocate for communities where everyone who is experiencing a mental or behavioral health challenge receives the support they need to live their best lives.

If you or a loved one are experiencing a mental health or substance use crisis, dial 988, or call the mental health crisis line at 1-800-662-HELP (4357), or text “HELP4U” (435748).

The Behavioral Health Wellness Environments for Living and Learning (BH WELL) research team exists to promote behavioral health and wellness among individuals facing behavioral health challenges. Click here for more information about BH WELL. Follow us on social media.