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Thoughts During Mental Health Awareness Month
By Liz Falstreau, Rainbows Community Education and Advocacy Manager
May 21, 2026
We all have our own ideas when we hear the words, “Mental Health.” Generation to generation, those two words can evoke very different images in an individual’s mind. For older generations, those words often bring up feelings of fear, anxiety, and stigma, whereas for newer generations, the thoughts of mindfulness, self-care, and empowerment are more likely to surface. Whatever the image that is conjured for you, the fact is: we all must handle our mental health every day, one way or another.
How we handle the care and keeping of ourselves can make all the difference.
In this article from Psychology Today it states, “Self-care is linked to improved mental health, self-esteem, self-worth, and optimism,” and not taking care of ourselves, “can have long-term effects on our overall well-being.” This, of course, is all easier said than done. For instance, while a meditation ritual can help your nervous system take on the stresses of our everyday lives, it can be hard when battling depression and anxiety to stick with a program. This is where self-compassion becomes an important tool for reaching your mental health and self-care goals. We are all human, and every day won’t be identical. “Self-compassion is as much about awareness and acceptance as it is about taking action. Fierce self-compassion means acting to alleviate our pain or problems—not through self-loathing but by protecting, providing for, and motivating ourselves to make change happen.” (Psychology Today)
How do we help our loved ones who may be in a rut?
You’ve figured out your self-care plan, your day-to-day mindfulness is improving, and suddenly you’ve become aware that a friend or family member might be struggling. The National Council for Mental Wellbeing states that, “nearly 1 in 5 people in the U.S. living with a mental illness, there’s a good chance someone in your circle of close friends and family is affected.” However, it is important to go into these situations carefully with mindfulness of your language, a mindset that is prepared to listen without judgement, and the intention to keep following up with the person after your first check-in. It can also be helpful to have some resources available to offer in case they are seeking professional or extra help in their mental health journey. The MHFA Action Plan is a great place to start.
Stay Curious.
Educating yourself on mental health first aid and seeking to find your own self-care plan can be transformative. To make a change, sometimes we need to be the person we hope to see more of in the world; compassionate to ourselves and others, and curious about our journey and the mental health journey of our community. Want to take your knowledge a step farther? Consider getting certified in Mental Health First Aid here.
You can also check out our resource page for significant illness for more resources on how to help a young person who might be dealing with a family member’s long term mental illness.
