--- title: Recognizing Mental Health Awareness Month description: May is Mental Health Awareness Month — an opportunity to emphasize the importance of mental health care and break down stigmas. image: https://blog.changecompanies.net/hubfs/Untitled-3.jpg --- [Technical Support](https://support.changecompanies.net/?hsLang=en) [Contact Sales](https://go.changecompanies.net/contact?hsLang=en) Search changecompanies.net About Us [About](https://changecompanies.net/about?hsLang=en) [Leadership](https://changecompanies.net/about?hsLang=en#leadership) [Advisors](https://changecompanies.net/about?hsLang=en#advisors) [Contact Us](https://go.changecompanies.net/contact?hsLang=en) [Careers](https://changecompanies.net/careers?hsLang=en) [![The Change Companies Logo](https://844aa8d177dcf87d02fc-8f72bb99f02c2e7ec80fe67c19b57c36.ssl.cf1.rackcdn.com/newsite/TCClogo_website.png)](https://blog.changecompanies.net/) - Products Products [![](https://blog.changecompanies.net/hs-fs/hubfs/Internal/Logos/Atlas%20favicon.png?width=28&height=28&name=Atlas%20favicon.png) Atlas: Behavior Change Platform Helps agencies and providers drive measurable behavior change, so fewer people return to custody or use.](https://changecompanies.net/atlas?hsLang=en) [Sessions Plan check-ins and groups, capture notes, and track delivery fidelity, all tied to case and treatment plans.](https://changecompanies.net/atlas-sessions) [![](https://blog.changecompanies.net/hs-fs/hubfs/Email%20Graphics/Icons%20and%20Thumbnails/Small-Icon-Template_FeaturedArticle.png?width=28&height=28&name=Small-Icon-Template_FeaturedArticle.png) *Interactive Journaling®* Evidence-based expressive writing that blends MI, CBT, and the stages of change to guide lasting change.](https://changecompanies.net/interactive-journaling) [![](https://blog.changecompanies.net/hs-fs/hubfs/Website%20Pages/DCP%20and%20Atlas/Treatment%20and%20Recovery%20Icon.png?width=28&height=28&name=Treatment%20and%20Recovery%20Icon.png) Clinical Assessments DSM-5 and ASAM Criteria–compatible tools for diagnosis, placement, and service planning, with Evince.](https://shop.changecompanies.net/collections/clinical-assesments) Training [![](https://blog.changecompanies.net/hs-fs/hubfs/Email%20Graphics/Icons%20and%20Thumbnails/Small-Icon-Template_BoosterTraining.png?width=28&height=28&name=Small-Icon-Template_BoosterTraining.png) Curriculum Training Train facilitators on the key skills that make *Interactive Journaling®* most effective.](https://changecompanies.net/training?hsLang=en) [![](https://blog.changecompanies.net/hs-fs/hubfs/Website%20Pages/FP%20and%20Training/BasicFidelity-Icon.png?width=28&height=28&name=BasicFidelity-Icon.png) Self-paced Learning The Fidelity Platform: online, self-paced training that upskills facilitators on their schedule.](https://changecompanies.net/fidelity-platform?hsLang=en) [![](https://blog.changecompanies.net/hs-fs/hubfs/Website%20Pages/Homepage/ASAM%20logo-2.png?width=28&height=28&name=ASAM%20logo-2.png) The ASAM Criteria Open enrollment trainings from Train for Change on ASAM skills, implementation, and CARF certification.](https://changecompanies.net/asam?hsLang=en) - 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This is an opportunity to shed light on the complexities of mental health, to break down stigmas and to foster understanding and hope. Mental health is a key component of a person’s overall wellness. It encompasses our emotional, psychological and social well-being. It influences how we think, feel and act – shaping every aspect of our lives. As such, caring for our mental health is vital for a fulfilling and healthy life. This care involves everyday habits and practices to care for our emotional and mental well-being, and how we equip ourselves to overcome challenges. These challenges can include everyday stressors, one-off events and ongoing symptoms of clinical conditions. While the importance of mental health is increasingly recognized in society, there is still stigma attached to mental health disorders and mental health care. This stigma can prevent someone from seeking help or speaking openly about their challenges with mental health. Stigmas can stem from misconceptions, fear and societal norms that portray mental illness as a sign of weakness or personal failure. Mental Health Awareness Month is an opportunity to challenge these misconceptions and foster environments of acceptance and support.    ## Key tips for challenging stigmas: - **Being mindful of loaded language.** Avoid words and phrases that reinforce negative stereotypes, like *psycho*, *hysterical* or *insane*. - **Using person-first language** can switch the focus from someone's diagnosis to their abilities. For example, "a person with bipolar disorder” focuses on the individual more than "a bipolar person," which uses the disorder as the individual's defining characteristic. - **Engaging in open dialogue.** Providing a safe space to discuss mental health, challenges and victories helps create an accepting and supportive environment. [Accurate empathy](https://blog.changecompanies.net/harnessing-the-power-of-accurate-empathy)is one way to promote open dialogue in these environments. - **Challenging myths or harmful messaging.** This helps set an example and reduce feelings of shame, inadequacy and isolation.  - **Incorporating policies that prioritize mental health education.** This can include having educational requirements at your workplace, supporting policies and legislation that integrate mental health education and reading up on current research and best practices. - [**Caring for your own mental health**](https://blog.changecompanies.net/how-to-manage-stress-and-reduce-burnout-as-a-behavioral-health-professional). Ensuring you’re at your own personal best can help you feel prepared to meet the needs of your clients and provide a supportive environment. - Seeking out resources, such as this [toolkit](https://www.samhsa.gov/mental-health-awareness-month/toolkit?utm_source=SAMHSA&utm_campaign=12f26c99f9-EMAIL_CAMPAIGN_2024_05_01_05_07&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_-12f26c99f9-%5BLIST_EMAIL_ID%5D) developed by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA).   De-stigmatizing mental health care is important not just this month, but every day. We can help create communities where individuals feel empowered to prioritize their well-being, seek support without shame and know they are not alone in their struggle.   [![Free Demo: Atlas See how Atlas connects assessment, planning, intervention and measurement into one system. Evidence-based programming for clients.  AI-powered tools for staff.  ](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/20881724/interactive-144129354591.png)](https://blog.changecompanies.net/hs/cta/wi/redirect?encryptedPayload=AVxigLJJ%2B8BEVxY9MrSAS1zkjmt%2Bm%2FGIeqQThn0XrYCo76qOEJ0e29yb2HejNcTJMt2ws4lSmjnLAvM2XynOMmc%2FDjtUvBRYbhgpClPDlXdCS57QgUsvNoDUjoKnCIWy8kTzHtawlF6rlBIWj%2BtYzYjWxBVwRzxywwsdPjDKFzAgNFuNG91Qi0zXSS8r&webInteractiveContentId=144129354591&portalId=20881724) ![The Change Companies](https://blog.changecompanies.net/hs-fs/hubfs/Internal/Logos/Social%20Media%20Logo.png?width=150&name=Social%20Media%20Logo.png) #### The Change Companies For over 30 years, The Change Companies has delivered cutting-edge behavior change tools to over 26 million individuals in addiction treatment and justice services. We combine the latest change research with end-user feedback to continually improve the design and delivery of innovative solutions, such as our evidence-based practice of Interactive Journaling®, our programming platform, Atlas, and our live and on-demand skills-based training programs. 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