According to Mental Health Month, “Mental Health Awareness Month has been observed in May in the United States since 1949, reaching millions of people in the United States through the media, local events, and screenings.” Each year, millions of Americans face the reality of living with a mental illness. During May, NAMI and the rest of the country are raising awareness of mental health.

Each year we fight stigma, provide support, educate the public and advocate for policies that support people with mental illness and their families. Before America began to observe mental health awareness, on Feb. 19, 1909, philosopher William James and psychiatrist Adolf Meyer embraced that future by creating the National Committee for Mental Hygiene, later the National Mental Health Association and what we know today as the Mental Health America.

The sheer purpose of this month-long event is to raise awareness about the mental health continuum, reduce stigma associated with mental illness, encourage help seeking behaviors and emotional well-being practices, and prevent suicide through individual education and outreach events. According to Mental Health America, “Hospitals and health systems play an important role in providing behavioral health care and helping patients find resources available in their community. Hospitals create unique partnerships to address behavioral health issues in non-traditional ways.”

If you or someone you know is going through a rough time, know that there is always support all around you. Things will get better, and we must fight together to overcome these difficulties.