Help Yourself and Others During Mental Health Awareness Month
Every May, Mental Health Awareness Month reminds us of a truth that’s often overlooked: mental health is health. While conversations around mental wellness are more common, stigma, misunderstanding, and lack of access to care still prevent millions from getting the help they need. That’s especially true for individuals living with dual diagnosis—a condition in which mental health disorders and substance use disorders (SUD) or alcohol use disorders (AUD) occur simultaneously.
These individuals often face steeper challenges, so Mental Health Awareness Month plays a critical role in spotlighting their needs, breaking barriers to treatment, and fostering deeper understanding.
Origins and Purpose of Mental Health Awareness Month
Mental Health Awareness Month was established in 1949 by Mental Health America (MHA). The goal was simple yet powerful: raise awareness of mental illness, promote early intervention, and reduce stigma. Since then, May is a unifying time for mental health advocates, healthcare professionals, and community leaders to amplify voices, elevate awareness, and push for more comprehensive mental health care.
Each year, MHA and other leading organizations offer toolkits, host public events, and launch educational campaigns that promote this vital health initiative. Resources are available from different agencies, including but not limited to:
And to clarify, October is World Mental Health Month, as designated by the United Nations. Many of the same health organizations participate in that too, including sponsoring special screenings and other key events.
Why This Campaign Is Vital—Especially For Dual Diagnosis Treatment
While Mental Health Awareness Month serves the general population, its significance is especially profound for people with dual diagnoses. According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, approximately 35% of individuals with a mental illness will also experience a substance use disorder during their lifetime. These co-occurring conditions can interact in complex ways, and if one condition goes untreated, the other often worsens. There’s also a greater chance of suicide when someone struggles with addiction and mental health issues.
Unfortunately, many people receive treatment for only one condition at a time. This fragmented approach often leads to relapse, worsening symptoms, or disengagement from care. Mental Health Awareness Month helps highlight the importance of integrated, trauma-informed care, where both conditions are treated simultaneously by a coordinated team of providers. By creating visibility for these issues, it’s more than a campaign—it becomes a catalyst for change.
2025 Initiatives Making a Difference
Several efforts this month are designed to help you take care of yourself and shape the future of mental health care and outreach. For example:
- MHA’s “Take Action” Guide. As part of its “Turn Awareness Into Action” theme for 2025, this helpful resource provides you with tips for maintaining a helpful routine, trying different aspects of wellness every day of May, and other aspects of self-care.
- SAMHSA’s National Prevention Week. For one week every May, the organization offers key initiatives to promote better mental health and prevent substance misuse. The week is filled with educational webinars, youth-led events, and tools to help local communities launch their prevention efforts.
- NAMIWalks Your Way 2025. Throughout May, NAMIWalks events take place in cities nationwide, raising funds for local mental health programs and building solidarity among people affected by mental illness and addiction.
- Free Online Screenings. Take advantage of confidential, evidence-based screening tools that help identify signs of mental health or substance use issues. Here’s one from MHA and another from SAMHSA.
If you choose to, also share credible information from these organizations on social media. Many of their toolkits offer easy ways to do this.
More importantly, use your voice to advocate for yourself and others. Mental Health Awareness Month is more than a symbolic gesture. It creates space for people to say, “I need help,” and hear in return, “You’re not alone.” It’s also a critical opportunity to reach people who are struggling in silence.
Find Quality Dual Diagnosis Care at Fair Oaks
For individuals with a dual diagnosis, this month provides validation and visibility. It emphasizes that recovery is possible—but only when we recognize the full scope of a person’s needs. Addressing both mental illness and addiction together improves outcomes, reduces relapse risk, and empowers people to build healthier, more fulfilling lives.
Whether you’re living with a mental health condition, supporting a loved one, or rallying for better care systems, your voice matters. Because mental health is for everyone. And when we talk about it, prioritize it, and support those affected by it, we help build a society where healing isn’t just possible—it’s expected.
This is exactly what we strive for at Fair Oaks Recovery Center in Sacramento, California. As a licensed Chemical Dependency Recovery Hospital—a status issued by the California Department of Public Health to addiction rehabilitation and dual diagnosis treatment facilities—we offer comprehensive levels of care so you have the necessary structure and support to begin to restore your life. Contact our admissions team today for a free, confidential assessment.
If you or someone you love needs immediate assistance, please contact one of the following hotlines:
- 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline: Call or text 988 from any phone. The Lifeline provides 24/7, free, and confidential support to people in distress. You don’t need to be suicidal to reach out.
- The Trevor Project: Call 866-488-7386 or text ‘START’ to 678-678. This organization provides various levels of free, confidential support to LGBTQIA2S+ young people.
- Veterans Crisis Line. Dial 988 and then press 1 or text 838255. This therapeutic service is open to all former and current military personnel, their family members, and friends.
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