My Brain's Not Broken

The month of May is a big deal for MBNB because it’s Mental Health Awareness Month! I write about Mental Health Awareness Month every year, not only because this is a mental health blog (duh!) but because I like to share the themes leading mental health organizations focus on each year.

Mental Health Organizations to Check Out

Mental Health America, one of the leading organizations behind this month, has a different theme each year, from taking care of your wellness in all aspects of life (in 2018) to last year’s focus of mental wellness.  In 2020, MHA has decided to focus on Tools 2 Thrive, which means tools and resources to improve mental health. The National Alliance on Mental Illness has its own unique theme, ‘You Are Not Alone.’

Each has a lot to offer not only the mental health community but the billions of people around the world that are continually adjusting to the mental health effects of the COVID-19 pandemic and social distancing. Both MHA’s and NAMI’s themes this year offer insight into how those with mental health conditions can lead healthy and productive lives. Right now, we’re all worried about how we can do that, so mental health is important for more people than ever before.

Tools 2 Thrive

From Mental Health America:

“Tools 2 Thrive will provide practical tools that everyone can use to improve their mental health and increase resiliency regardless of the situations they are dealing with. We now believe that these tools – even those that may need to be adapted for the short term because of COVID-19 and social distancing – will be more useful than ever.” – Mental Health America

You Are Not Alone

And from the National Alliance on Mental Illness:

“NAMI’s ‘You are Not Alone’ campaign features the lived experience of people affected by mental illness to fight stigma, inspire others and educate the broader public. Now more than ever before, it is important for the mental health community to come together and show the world that no one should ever feel alone. Even in times of uncertainty, the NAMI community is always here, reminding everyone that you are not alone.” – National Alliance on Mental Illness

All this month, I’ll be providing resources, tips and other information that people and organizations are sharing about mental health awareness. Grassroots organizations like these are so important right now because we all need to be met where we are – at home and for our communities. I’ll also be reaching out to people who want to share their stories this month so if you know someone, please have them reach out to me!