Some of the most positive news concerning mental health and mental illness is that awareness around the globe and in the United States is increasing drastically. Mental illness and other mental health issues affect nearly one in five Americans, yet there is still some stigma surrounding mental health and mental illness.
Raise Mental Health Awareness: Add These Days to Your Calendar
Some of the most positive news concerning mental health and mental illness is that awareness around the globe and in the United States is increasing drastically. Mental illness and other mental health issues affect nearly one in five Americans, yet there is still some stigma surrounding mental health and mental illness.
At Harmony Health Group, we want to erase this stigma. Stigma surrounding mental health keeps people from having frank conversations with their families and friends, keeps those who are addicted from seeking help, and ultimately hurts our entire society. Stamping out the inaccuracies surrounding mental health and addiction are key factors in making certain everyone can get the help they need.
Below, we’ve compiled a list of some of the mental health awareness days and periods in the United States and around the world. These can be a great opportunity to bring these issues up in your school, home, or workplace, and perhaps even schedule events around. Take a look at some of the mental health and addiction awareness days for 2023:
- Mental Health Awareness Month— May 2023
Mental Health awareness month is every May, and has been observed since 1949. The purpose is to raise awareness of mental health, including mental illness and addiction, and erase stigma against mental illnesses. A “toolkit” with a corresponding theme is released every year in March, and can be used to help plan events around mental health awareness.
- Maternal Mental Health Awareness Week— May 2- May 8, 2023
The first full week in May is Maternal Mental Health awareness week, and focuses specifically on the mental health of mothers. Often called the “baby blues” and officially known as postpartum depression, the time after having a baby can be a difficult mental health time for moms. This week aims to raise awareness to mothers and other community members about postpartum mental health, and encourage new mothers to seek help if they are having mental health struggles.
- International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking— June 26, 2023
An international holiday created by the United Nations General Assembly, International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking aims to raise awareness about drug abuse and narcotics trafficking worldwide. Each year the UN publishes the world drug report, which offers facts and figures about world drug use and illicit trafficking, and offers “evidence-based data, and solutions” to combat drug use.
- National PTSD Awareness Day— June 27, 2023
PTSD, or Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, affects about 6 percent of Americans or about 12 million adults every year. Often associated with the experiences of soldiers, this condition affects many more Americans who are victims of trauma. This day aims to raise awareness about the condition and encourages those with PTSD to seek help.
- National Women Touched By Addiction Day— July 23, 2023
National Women Touched By Addiction Day aims to raise awareness of the unique struggles of women who are facing addiction and who have loved ones who face addiction. The foundation, “encourage[s] women to share a photo on social media where they lift just one finger and share their testimony, or just show their support for an entire community of women who have felt the effects of addiction. [The foundation hopes] this will encourage women to seek help, know that they are not alone, and see the resilience women have.”
- National Grief Awareness Day— August 30, 2023
National Grief Awareness Day aims to, “create space for loss” as well as engender conversations and awareness about the grieving process. Nearly every person alive has been touched by grief in some way, and awareness about grieving, its effects, and ways to deal with it are the focus of this holiday.
- International Overdose Awareness Day— August 31, 2023
International Overdose Awareness Day offers a pause to think about those who have died due to drug overdoses. It aims to raise awareness about how overdoses happen, how to prevent them, and ease the stigma surrounding drug addiction. Remarkably, overdose is the leading cause of death for Americans 18-45.
- World Suicide Prevention Day— 10 September, 2023
Across the world, nearly three quarters of a million people end their lives by their own hand each year. World Suicide Prevention Day aims to educate world citizens on suicide and raise awareness about the help available to those suffering from depression and addiction and contemplating suicide.
- World Mental Health Day— October 10, 2023
World Mental Health Day, held each October 10th, is a great opportunity to raise awareness in your own community about mental health. Encompassing all of the issues and conditions above, this is a day to both celebrate mental health as well as raise awareness about the challenges still faced in our society surrounding mental health and mental illness.
Are You Or A Loved One Struggling With Addiction?
If you or a loved one are struggling with addiction and surrounding mental health issues, give us a call at (866) 461-4474 or contact us today. Addiction and other mental health disorders are treatable diseases and we are more than happy to help you and your loved ones treat and manage addiction.