WAYS TO GET INVOLVED

SPREAD AWARENESS.

Spreading awareness is perhaps the most important thing you can do to show your support for the community. With so many platforms available to choose from, it’s becoming much easier to reach a wider audience. Share that link on Facebook, like that photo on Instagram, or reblog that post on Tumblr! Is real-world action more your thing? Start a campaign to raise money for your favorite mental health organization. Host an event that encourages education on mental health topics.

VOLUNTEER.

Maybe you’re great at listening, or pointing people to resources they can use? Or maybe you don’t know what you want to do, you just want to do something. Have no fear, there’s a place for everyone! Almost all mental health organizations need volunteers for a wide range of positions, from peer support to administrative support. Consider being a mentor to someone struggling with their mental health, or perhaps you can see what your local or community mental health clinic has available.

BUILD A NETWORK.

Living with a mental illness can be isolating for some, but building a support network where you and others can feel comfortable is key. If you find the idea of creating a formal support group intimidating, you can always create a small network of family and/or friends. The great thing about these networks is that they provide a safe space for people to talk, vent, and share their successes without feeling judged.

START A DIALOGUE.

Talking about mental health is hard. Talking about your own mental health is even harder. The more we talk about it, the less daunting it becomes. Think about the last time something inspired you. If one person shares their story, it will inspire someone else, which inspires someone else, and so on. By sharing your story, you not only give others the courage to speak up and take charge of their mental health journey, but you can also show that they are not alone in their struggles.

BE YOURSELF.

The best thing you can do to support the mental health community is to be yourself. You are a unique individual, and there’s no one-size-fits-all way to support the mental health community. Being a part of the mental health community means being able to stay true to yourself. After all, one of the best ways to support someone else is by making sure you take care of yourself. Whether you’re seeking out help, providing help, or both, there’s always a place for you.

Make a change in your local community by being an advocate for mental health awareness. Here are a few suggestions for how you can work with your community.

Talk With Community Leaders

Ask your governor or mayor to make a proclamation. Encourage your community leader to officially recognize the national mental health awareness events, including Mental Health Month in May, National Minority Mental Health Awareness Month in July and Mental Illness Awareness Week in October. 

Take action on advocacy issues. Policy change is one major way we can make a difference in the lives of people living with mental health conditions and their families.

Ask them to "Go Green." Get the greater community involved by asking leaders to light buildings and landmarks in green to show support and raise awareness for mental health.

Reach Out To Your Community

Address cultural barriers. Minorities face additional challenges when seeking care for mental health issues, such as: cultural stigma, lack of cultural competency and limited access to treatment in their community. It can help to reach out to these communities and start the conversation about mental health. 

Speak with teens. Mental health conditions start early, yet half of teens aren't getting the help they need. Stigma, fear and lack of awareness are part of the reason.

Involve Your Faith Community. Faith, and supportive faith communities, can play a large role in helping individuals with mental illness and their families. Talk about ways to improve resources in your community by  making informative mental health bulletin inserts that you can share with the congregation or asking faith leaders to address mental health to their community. 

Connect With Local Businesses

Hand out ribbons. Hand out or sell green ribbons for people to wear. Invite stores to hang green ribbons in the window, on trees, light posts, columns and in other public spaces.

Create a book display. Ask the local bookstore to feature books about mental health or have an author come in and sign copies.

Share information. Ask about adding mental health awareness brochures or fact sheets and infographics to your local coffee house’s events and information boards.

Host an event. Create a local event at a coffee shop, bookstore or restaurant featuring material about mental health or artists with connections to mental health.