Mental Health Awareness Month

May is Mental Health Awareness Month, and it feels like something we should talk about more openly and honestly.

I’ve come to realize that everyone—and I mean everyone—is fighting battles we often know nothing about. As a society, we've not always been welcoming to the idea of discussing our struggles, seeking help, or even learning the basic tools to cope with mental health challenges.

The good news is, we’ve come a long way. Today, there are more resources than ever before. Support systems, therapy options, and communities exist to help us find structure, healing, and a way back to ourselves when life becomes overwhelming.

There’s no universal roadmap for life. No rulebook says you need to be at a certain place, act a certain way, or achieve specific things to be loved, accepted, or supported.

Wherever you are in your journey, please remember: you are not alone. People care. Help is out there.

I've included some books that have really helped me realize that it's okay to not be okay sometimes, and some additional resources below:

• Where to start : a survival guide to anxiety, depression, and other mental health challenges

  
  

• But what will people say?: navigating mental health, identity, love, and family between cultures

  
  

• Are u ok?: a guide to caring for your mental health

  
  

• The hilarious world of depression

National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH)

National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI)

Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA)