“1 in 5 adults in the U.S. experience mental illness each year, but most won’t get the help they need—especially in communities of color.”

What We Miss During Mental Health Awareness Month

Mental Health Awareness Month shines a spotlight on an issue that affects millions. Each year, about 25% of U.S. adults experience a diagnosable mental disorder, and 10% live with conditions like major depression or bipolar disorder.

But awareness alone isn’t enough. What happens after the spotlight fades? What actions do we take once the social media posts stop trending?

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🔹 What Awareness Months Do Well

Visibility matters.

Lately, I’ve noticed a growing cynicism online about awareness months. In a world where being “woke” is used as a slur, these campaigns can feel performative or overwhelming. But I still believe in their value—especially when it comes to mental health.

Awareness months create visibility. They connect people to information, offer language for experiences they haven’t been able to name, and give permission to be vulnerable. They also reveal the values of the companies we support.

Take Target, for example—once praised for embracing cultural awareness campaigns like Black History and Pride Month. After pulling back from DEI initiatives, their shift in values became clear, and consumers took notice.

At their best, awareness months help workplaces show support for employee wellness. For Mental Health Awareness Month, letting your team know that their well-being matters isn’t just a kind gesture—it’s a workplace culture shift.

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🔹 Where Awareness Falls Short

Mental health isn’t trendy. It’s daily.

Here’s the hard truth: mental health doesn’t fit neatly into a campaign. For those who live with severe mental illness, awareness content can sometimes feel dismissive—or worse, like a trendy aesthetic.

Hashtag fatigue is real. Awareness without action creates disillusionment. When people see content that feels generic or disconnected from real life—“just journal!”—they tune out. Others may even feel guilt or shame if they can’t relate to the suggested tips.

Mental health is not one-size-fits-all. People need deeper tools, personalized strategies, and consistent care—not just an inspirational quote in May.

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🔹 What We Can Do Differently

For Professionals:

Make it actionable.

As a mental health professional, I try to do something each May—not just create content. This year, I spoke with a group of Black men about reclaiming their mental and physical well-being. It was powerful.

Whether it’s promoting free mental health screenings, encouraging employees to use their benefits, or destigmatizing therapy—we can meet people where they are and offer real tools.

For Everyday People:

Make it routine.

If you’re not a therapist, you still have the power to build a system that supports your mental health. Think of Awareness Month as your personal reset button. Start simple.

Need a place to begin? Try these tools I love and recommend:

• Cope Notes – A digital support tool that sends thoughtful, therapeutic messages to your phone daily. Use code ONEPIPHANYLANE for 10% off your membership and try it free for 7 days.
• My Therapy Cards – Created by a Black woman psychologist, these decks offer guided prompts for women, men, teens, and now couples. I even use them with my clients when they feel stuck in session. They’re beautiful, insightful, and effective.

Mental health support isn’t a luxury—it’s a lifestyle.

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🔹 Legacy + Connection

My journey with mental health is deeply personal—it began long before I became a therapist.

Growing up, my family says I was always tuned into people’s emotions. I was sensitive, and even when I tried to act tough, my mom knew how to make space for that part of me. I loved creating stories with my Barbie dolls—what I thought was “playing Oprah” looked more like group therapy sessions on the porch. By middle school, I was a Peer Mentor, and by high school, I knew I wanted to help people navigate the emotional challenges of life.

My 20-year battle with Lupus has also taught me that raising awareness often comes from lived experience and pain. Even when I talk about it openly, it’s usually after something goes wrong that people start to pay attention. Losing my mother when she was only 66 has made me even more aware of how trauma and stress impact physical health. We can quite literally burn out if we don’t take care of ourselves. Awareness is important—but it’s not enough. It reminds me that advocacy doesn’t stop with an Instagram post. It has to move us to action.

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🔹 Let’s Make It Count

We can make Mental Health Awareness Month more than a moment. Here’s how:

✨ Drop a comment: What’s one mental health goal you’re working on this month?

✨ Try a tool:

• Get 10% off Cope Notes with code ONEPIPHANYLANE – click here.
• Grab a deck of My Therapy Cards to start your self-reflection journey.

✨ Ready to start therapy or coaching?
If you’re in Texas or North Carolina, join my client list at www.onepiphanylane.com.
If you’re outside those states, and you’re a professional with ADHD or a new leader managing anxiety, book a free coaching consultation to see if we’re a fit.

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Mental health is more than a hashtag.
Let’s turn awareness into action—together. -On Epiphany Lane