Mental Health Awareness Month
May is Mental Health Awareness Month. Since its inception in 1949, Mental Health Awareness Month has been a cornerstone of addressing the challenges faced by millions of Americans living with mental health conditions. Throughout the month, NAMI actively participates in this national movement, dedicated to eradicating stigma, extending support, fostering public education and advocating for policies that prioritize the well-being of individuals and families affected by mental illness.
Take the Moment
This year, NAMI is celebrating Mental Health Awareness Month with the Take the Moment campaign. We encourage you to join us in fostering open dialogues, cultivating empathy and understanding. We also urge you to share our resources to support individuals and families on their journey towards mental wellness. Through "Take the Moment," we shine a spotlight on NAMI's array of signature programs including: NAMI Basics, NAMI Family-to-Family, NAMI Family & Friends, NAMI Homefront, NAMI In Our Own Voice, NAMI Peer-to-Peer, NAMI Support Groups and our invaluable NAMI HelpLine, which is a free, nationwide peer-support service providing information, resource referrals and support to people living with a mental health condition, their family members and caregivers, mental health providers and the public.
This campaign also champions the importance of destigmatizing mental health by normalizing the practice of taking moments to prioritize mental health care without guilt or shame.
Download the Toolkit
We at NAMI National have created this in order to support NAMI State Organizations, NAMI Aliates, partners and ambassadors in efforts to promote Mental Health Awareness Month.
Join us, take the moment and let's make a difference together. Download our toolkit for more insights on this campaign, downloadable graphics, and more!
Share On Social Media
Throughout May, we invite you to share with us on social media why or how you are taking moments to prioritize your mental health. Please use the hashtag #TakeAMentalHealthMoment in your posts.
Also, this page will be updated with more resources and ways to get involved during the months of April and May. You can bookmark this webpage, so you can easily access this information.
To help get you get started, we have provided sample posts and graphics below you can use on social media. Don’t forget to tag us at @NAMICommunicate on Instagram, Threads and X and @NAMI on LinkedIn, TikTok and Facebook.
Sample Captions
Take the Moment: Join NAMI's Mental Health Awareness Month campaign as we spotlight our signature programs! Let's break the stigma together!
nami.org/mham #TakeAMentalHealthMoment #MentalHealthMonth
Our mental health journey starts with a single moment. Take it! NAMI's 2024 campaign is here to empower you with resources like NAMI Family-to-Family. Let's prioritize mental well-being together.
nami.org/mham #TakeAMentalHealthMoment #MentalHealthMonth
Seeking mental health support? Look no further than NAMI's comprehensive suite of programs! Join us in making a difference today!
nami.org/mham #TakeAMentalHealthMoment #MentalHealthMonth
Join us and NAMI this month in normalizing the practice of taking moments to prioritize mental health care without guilt or shame. Programs.
nami.org/mham #TakeAMentalHealthMoment #MentalHealthMonth
Graphics
Share some of our graphics below (access our full set of graphics here). Don’t forget to tag us at @NAMICommunicate on Instagram and Twitter and @NAMI on TikTok and Facebook and use our hashtag #TakeAMentalHealthMoment #MentalHealthMonth!
Sharing is Caring
NAMI’s signature programs are where people and communities can find help, hope and healing. We encourage you to share or sign up for these programs if you or someone you know needs mental health support.
- NAMI Basics: A six-session education program for parents, caregivers and other family members who provide care for youth (ages 22 and younger) who are experiencing mental health symptoms.
- NAMI Family-to-Family: A free, eight-session educational program for family, significant others and friends of people with mental health conditions.
- NAMI Family & Friends: A free 90-minute or four-hour seminar that informs people who have loved ones with a mental health condition how to best support them.
- NAMI Homefront: A free, six-session program for families, caregivers and friends of military members and veterans with mental health conditions. Plus, find free online resources available 24/7.
- NAMI In Our Own Voice: Free presentations that provide a personal perspective of mental health conditions, as leaders with lived experience talk openly about what it's like to have a mental health condition.
- NAMI Peer-to-Peer: A free, eight-session educational program for adults with mental health conditions who are looking to better understand themselves and their recovery.
- NAMI Support Groups: NAMI support groups are peer-led and offer participants an opportunity to share their experiences and gain support from other attendees.
NAMI HelpLines
In need of help or support?
You are not alone! If you are struggling with your mental health, the NAMI HelpLine is here for you. Connect with a NAMI HelpLine specialist or Teen & Young Adult HelpLine specialist today.
The NAMI HelpLine is a free, nationwide peer-support service providing information, resource referrals and support to people living with a mental health condition, their family members and caregivers, mental health providers and the public.
The NAMI Teen & Young Adult (T&YA) HelpLine offers a direct connection with another young person who shares similar experiences and is prepared to offer information, resources, and support to help you move through difficult times to a better place.
Available Monday Through Friday, 10 A.M. – 10 P.M. ET
Need Immediate Help in A Crisis?
988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline – Dial or text 988 if you or someone you know is having thoughts of suicide or experiencing a mental health crisis and get connected to a trained crisis counselor 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Crisis counselors listen empathetically and without judgment. Your crisis counselor will work to ensure that you feel safe and help identify options and information about mental health services in your area.
More ways to get involved this Mental Health Awareness Month
Attend An Event
NAMIWalks: Is more than just a walk—it's a powerful movement for change in mental health. Bringing together individuals, families, and communities, NAMIWalks raises funds, spreads awareness, and fights stigma surrounding mental illness. By participating, you join a nationwide effort to value mental health and promote compassion and understanding for those affected by mental illness.
Partner With Us
Become an advocate: NAMI advocates with elected officials to ensure people get help early, people get the best possible care, and people get diverted from justice system involvement. But, we can’t do this without you. Your voice makes a difference.
Volunteer: Get involved with your local NAMI and make a difference in your community or apply to be a volunteer with our national HelpLine.