How You Can Make a Difference This May

Every May, Mental Health Awareness Month invites us to reflect on our own emotional well-being—but it’s also a time to think about the mental health of those around us. While self-care is essential, community care is just as important. Many people suffer in silence, and a supportive friend, family member, or colleague can be the lifeline they didn’t know they needed.

If you’re wondering how you can observe Mental Health Awareness Month by helping someone you care about, this guide will walk you through compassionate, practical ways to offer support and foster connection.

Why This Month Matters for Your Loved Ones

Mental Health Awareness Month was created to increase understanding of mental health issues, fight stigma, and promote resources and support. While progress has been made, many people still hesitate to seek help or talk about their struggles due to shame, fear, or lack of access to care.

That’s where you come in. Being an ally during this month (and beyond) doesn’t require professional training. It starts with awareness, empathy, and intentional action.

Signs Someone May Be Struggling

Before jumping in to help, it’s important to recognize when someone might need support. Mental health challenges can show up in different ways, and not everyone who is suffering will tell you directly.

Emotional Signs

• Increased irritability, mood swings, or sadness

• Withdrawal from social interaction

• Loss of interest in things they once enjoyed

• Expressions of hopelessness or worthlessness

Physical or Behavioral Signs

• Noticeable changes in eating or sleeping patterns

• Increased substance use

• Difficulty concentrating or completing tasks

• Neglecting personal hygiene or responsibilities

These signs don’t always mean a serious condition is present—but they are clues that your loved one could be overwhelmed, anxious, or depressed.

Start with a Conversation

One of the most powerful things you can do is simply talk to the person. Don’t wait for the “perfect” time—choose a quiet moment when you can connect without distractions or time pressure.

What to Say

• “I’ve noticed you’ve been a bit off lately. Want to talk about it?”

• “I care about you, and I’m here to listen if you ever need to vent.”

• “I don’t want to assume anything, but are you okay?”

What to Avoid

• Dismissing their feelings with phrases like “You’ll get over it” or “Everyone feels that way sometimes”

• Offering unsolicited solutions or trying to fix things immediately

• Pushing too hard if they aren’t ready to talk

Let them guide the depth of the conversation. Sometimes, just knowing you’re available is enough to open a door.

Offer Consistent Emotional Support

Being there for someone doesn’t mean you need all the answers. It means showing up—again and again—even when it’s hard or uncomfortable.

Small Ways to Show Support

• Check in with a quick “Thinking of you” text

• Invite them to take a walk, grab coffee, or do something relaxing together

• Acknowledge their progress, even if it seems small (“I’m proud of you for showing up today.”)

Let your loved one know they are not alone and that you care about their well-being, no matter what they’re going through.

Help Them Access Resources

If your friend or family member seems open to it, gently suggest professional help. Many people don’t know where to start—or feel overwhelmed by the process.

Ways You Can Help

• Offer to help them search for a therapist or counselor

• Help them schedule an appointment if they’re nervous

• Recommend trusted mental health hotlines or websites, like NAMI, Mental Health America, or SAMHSA

• Share articles, podcasts, or videos about mental health in a non-pressuring way

You’re not responsible for their treatment, but you can be a bridge to it.

Respect Their Boundaries

Support doesn’t mean hovering. Your loved one may need space, or they might not be ready to open up. That’s okay.

What Boundaries Might Look Like

• Wanting to talk only occasionally about their mental health

• Not being ready to see a therapist just yet

• Saying “no” to social invites but appreciating that you offered

Supporting someone means respecting their pace and capacity, even if it’s not what you would choose for yourself.

Advocate for Mental Health in Your Circle

Mental Health Awareness Month is the perfect time to model supportive behavior in your larger community. The more we normalize mental health conversations, the safer people feel to ask for help.

Ways to Be an Advocate

• Share informative posts or mental health awareness graphics on social media

• Start open conversations at home or at work

• Wear a green ribbon to show support

• Attend a local event or virtual panel about mental health awareness

• Volunteer for mental health organizations or participate in fundraising events

These actions help shift the culture and create a more compassionate, stigma-free environment.

Practice Self-Care While Supporting Others

Caring for someone else can be emotionally taxing, especially if you’re already managing your own stress. You can’t pour from an empty cup.

Tips for Balancing Support and Self-Care

• Set boundaries for how often and how deeply you engage, if needed

• Talk to someone you trust about your own feelings

• Take time to rest, recharge, and do things you enjoy

• Remember that you’re not responsible for “saving” anyone

Being a support person doesn’t mean being perfect. It’s okay to seek your own help too.

Support for Specific Relationships

Depending on who you’re supporting, your approach may look a little different. Here are tailored suggestions for different types of relationships:

Supporting a Partner

• Be patient with mood changes and offer stability

• Use “we” language: “We’ll get through this together”

• Attend couples counseling if the situation affects your relationship

Supporting a Friend

• Make plans that don’t require a lot of energy

• Validate their feelings without trying to “cheer them up”

• Stay in touch even if they cancel plans—let them know you’re still there

Supporting a Parent or Sibling

• Acknowledge generational differences in how mental health is viewed

• Recommend therapy in a nonjudgmental way

• Share personal experiences if it helps build trust

Supporting a Coworker

• Offer flexible collaboration if you notice they’re overwhelmed

• Respect privacy, but let them know you care

• Advocate for mental wellness policies in your workplace

Small Acts That Make a Big Difference

Sometimes, the most impactful gestures are the simplest. During Mental Health Awareness Month, consider taking one or more of these actions for someone in your life:

• Send a handwritten note with words of encouragement

• Make a playlist of calming or uplifting songs

• Cook a meal or deliver their favorite snack

• Recommend a gentle hobby to try together, like coloring, gardening, or yoga

• Simply ask, “How can I support you today?”

These thoughtful acts show that you’re not only aware of their struggles—you’re also actively invested in their well-being.

Final Thoughts

Mental Health Awareness Month isn’t just about headlines or hashtags—it’s about real people. The friend who seems a little off. The sibling who hasn’t been answering texts. The coworker who looks exhausted but keeps smiling anyway.

Your presence and compassion could make all the difference. By reaching out, listening, respecting boundaries, and offering resources, you can be part of someone’s healing journey—even if it’s just one small step at a time.

This May, let’s not only talk about mental health—let’s practice it. For ourselves. And for those we love.