May is Mental Health Awareness Month (MHAM). It is a time to raise up mental health and well-being for everyone. A time to encourage open conversations and turn awareness into action.
The 2025 Mental Health Awareness Month Toolkit from SAMHSA is now available. It has many resources to promote mental health for people of all ages. This month, help spread the word that mental health is essential to our health at every stage of life.
What You Can Do to Support Mental Health Awareness
Take part by accessing the 2025 Mental Health Awareness Month Toolkit, which includes:
Key Messages and Weekly Themes - Create impactful content for various audiences.
Social media - Includes posts, graphics, and animations.
Digital Stickers - Highlight MHAM in social media stories and posts.
Hashtags - #MHAM2025, #MentalHealthAwareness, and #MentalHealthMatters
Your Life Iowa is here to support Iowans 24/7 during Mental Health Awareness Month. When talking with someone and they open up about their mental health, here are a few suggestions:
DO SAY
"Thanks for opening up to me."
"Is there anything I can do to help?"
"How can I help?"
"Thanks for sharing."
"I'm sorry to hear that. It must be tough."
DON'T SAY
"It could be worse."
"Just deal with it."
"Snap out of it."
"Everyone feels that way sometimes."
"You may have brought this on yourself."
Your Life Iowa's trained counselors are available 24/7, 365 days a year. They'll provide help and resources for on-going mental health care. During Mental Health Awareness Month - and all year - YLI is here for you. Visit the YLI website to learn about mental health. Including warning signs, diagnoses, treatment, and more. Learn more by clicking on a button below.
Adult Mental Health Children's Mental Health Help for Family and Friends
(Published May 4, 2021, updated April 29, 2025)