Mental Health Awareness Month

Mental Health Awareness Month

Each May, the National Council observes Mental Health Awareness Month, a national event to bring attention to the importance of mental health. To help raise awareness in your community, we compiled publications, toolkits, original content and other learning materials for you to take advantage of throughout the month. Help us spread the word through awareness and advocacy!

Here are three things you can do right now to help spread awareness and advocate to expand access to mental health and substance use care:

  1. Contact your elected officials and urge them to address the behavioral health workforce shortage crisis.
  2. Sign up to receive updates and opportunities to advocate for better access to mental health and substance use care nationwide.
  3. Utilize the following resources to learn about expanding access to care and show your support on social media.
Facts & Figures

Learn more about mental health and substance use in America:

  • One in five adults (57.8 million adults) in the U.S. experienced mental illness in 2021.
  • 46.3 million people aged 12 or over had a substance use disorder in 2021.
  • 47.2% of U.S. adults with mental illness received treatment in 2021.
  • 65.4% of U.S. adults with serious mental illness received treatment in 2021.
  • 33.5% of U.S. adults with mental illness also experienced a substance use disorder in 2021 (19.4 million individuals).
  • Suicide is the second leading cause of death among people aged 10-14 and the third leading cause of death among those aged 15-24 in the U.S.
  • 46% of people who die by suicide had a diagnosed mental health condition.
  • At least 4 million people in the U.S. provide care to an adult with a mental or emotional health issue.
  • The average delay between symptom onset and treatment for mental illness is 11 years.
  • 3 million Americans live in recovery after some form of substance use challenge.
  • Three out of four people who experience addiction eventually recover.
Observance Resources

Download the following resources to show your support:

Mental Health Resources

Learn about resources for accessing care:

  • FindTreatment.gov: The confidential and anonymous resource for people seeking treatment for mental and substance use disorders in the U.S. and its territories.
  • 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline: The Lifeline provides 24/7, free and confidential support for people in distress, prevention and crisis resources for you or your loved ones, as well as best practices for professionals in the U.S.
  • National Alliance on Mental Illness: A national organization that provides advocacy, education, support and public awareness so all individuals and families affected by mental illness can build better lives.
  • The Trevor Project: 24/7 crisis support services to LGBTQ+ young people. Text, chat or call anytime to reach a trained counselor.

Learn more about increasing access to care: 

Learn about the behavioral health workforce shortage and the need for policy solutions: 

Learn more about substance use treatment: 

Learn more about achieving health equity: 

Take advantage of our learning opportunities:

Mental Health First Aid Resources

Learn more about Mental Health First Aid (MHFA):

Follow the Conversation

Follow the National Council on social media:

Follow Mental Health First Aid on social media:

States with Mental Health Month Proclamations

The Biden-Harris Administration published a proclamation on Mental Health Awareness Month, honoring the tens of millions of Americans living with mental health conditions and celebrating the loved ones and mental health professionals who are there for them every day. Check out the below map to see where governors are officially declaring May as Mental Health Awareness Month across the country:

map of US states with mental health awareness month proclamations

Stay informed of mental wellbeing news!

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