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Let’s stop treating Mental Health Awareness Month like a Hallmark holiday.

This isn’t just about green ribbons, inspirational quotes, or a flood of social media posts that disappear when June rolls in. For many of us, mental health isn’t a cause. It’s a crisis we manage in silence.

It’s waking up exhausted after eight hours of sleep.

It’s overthinking one text message for three hours.

It’s smiling in a meeting while mentally spiraling.

It’s being the reliable one who’s falling apart inside.

The truth? Mental illness is not always visible. It doesn’t always scream. Most of the time, it whispers just loud enough to distract you, drain you, or make you question your worth. And for some of us, it’s been there so long that it feels like part of who we are.

But it’s not.

This month is a reminder that you are not your diagnosis.

You are not your worst day.

You are not the lie your depression tells you when you’re alone at 2 a.m.

And you’re also not weak for needing help. Let me repeat that for the people in the back: You are not weak for needing help.

Whether you’re in therapy, on meds, journaling through the chaos, or just trying your best not to give up today, that counts. That matters. That’s strength.

If you work in a field like mine—nonprofit, justice, recovery, education—this month should hit different. You can’t serve others well if you’re bleeding emotionally and pretending you’re fine. You can’t advocate for healing while quietly breaking down in your car between meetings.

So here’s my challenge for all of us:

Speak up, even if your voice shakes.

Rest, even when you feel guilty.

Ask for help, even if it’s uncomfortable.

Show compassion to others, but also to yourself.

Mental health is health. Period. And this month isn’t about pretending we’re okay. It’s about admitting when we’re not and creating space for healing.

Because the people who carry the most are usually the last ones to ask for help.

Not this time.