Mental Health Awareness Month

What is Mental Health Awareness Month?

May is Mental Health Awareness month, a time to reduce the stigma and raise awareness of those living with mental or behavioral health challenges. According to the National Institute of Mental Health (2024), more than 1 in 5 adults live with a mental illness. Harvard Medical School (2023) also found that “one out of every two people in the world will develop a mental health disorder in their lifetime.” Mental illness can affect anyone, at any age.

What can you do to help support folks facing mental health challenges?

• Know the Signs offers an introduction that can help you identify if someone is in need of help.
• Don't know how to bring-up mental health with a loved one? Take Action for Mental Health provides easy steps to check-in with a loved one.
• If you or someone you know needs immediate help:
  • Call: 1-800-950-6264
  • Text: "helpline" to 62640 
  • For a Crisis: Call or Text 988
• Share your story so others know they are not alone.
• Our library also offers a free Mental Health First Aid training to the community, attend and learn how to support folks in crisis -  the next set of workshops are on 6/14, opens a new window and 6/21, opens a new window at the Downtown Library Branch. 

Stigma and Support

Stigma around mental health can make it hard for folks to reach out for support. It is important for anyone facing a mental health challenge to know they are not alone, to find support, and to get the professional help they need. Whether you need to connect with a support group, are concerned about a friend, or want to connect with a professional, there are many local resources that offer spaces to connect around mental health. Although the library does not replace professional support, it also offers a variety of ways to care for mental health through information, books, and programs.

Check out the list of resources below to find local mental health support, stories, and adjacent library programs: 

Community Resources:

All Ages

• 988 hotline is a great resource whether you need someone to talk to, or are looking for advice to help support a friend
• Kara offers support groups and resources for those who are experiencing grief

Youth

• Project Safety Net has a great list of resources for parents who want to support their children, for youth who need support, and for youth to find support groups
• NAMI has great resources for youth of all ages, and their parents

Teens

• Allcove offers great events, mental health support, and more for teens, ages 11-25
• The Youth Space offers 2SLGBTQ+ centered resources for youth, ages 13-25
• SafeBAE offer resources and support for youth who have experienced sexual violence
• Check out this library booklist for recommendations focused on mental health
• Check out this library list of resources to help with destressing

Adults

• Take Action For Mental Health offers resources about mental health advocacy, as well as resources to support loved ones, and to check in with oneself
• The Billy DeFrank Center offers 2SLGBTQ+ centered focus groups, activities, and support
• Check out this booklist for recommendations focused on mental health
• This booklist highlights memoirs of individuals navigating addiction and their road to recovery.

Library Programs:

Children’s Programs:

• Build community, sing, dance, and find joy at one of our weekly storytimes
• Sing together at our Moana sing-a-long

Teen + Adult Programs:

• Get up, moving, and outside with our Line Dancing Class
• Write a letter to express yourself at our Year of Letters program
• Relax and unwind every Thursday night with our Online Meditation program
• Build your meditation skills every Saturday with our in-person Meditation we have a session at Rinconada and Mitchell Park branches
• Learn more about building healthy financial habits at our financial wellness workshop