As May arrives, flowers are brought back to bloom, and the days get warmer. Vacation plans start to occur, and everyone’s clothing choices become more colorful. However, as this month arrives, the act of raising awareness for mental health also arises. While it was first recognized in the United States in 1949, Mental Health Awareness Month has never been more important than in these past and upcoming years. Young adolescents and the new generation have increasingly recognized the importance of mental health, and how it plays into our overall well-being. Mental health has always been an important subject–though not always recognized. Youth around the world are experiencing a dramatic increase in a mental health crisis. It’s affecting many teens, but some are being more affected than others.
“Growing up, I thought that bottling up my feelings was the way to go. My parents never spoke about mental health and it never slid across my mind that actions such as keeping everything negative held within me was not particularly healthy,” says a student attending Bard. “But knowing that there’s a month dedicated to allowing mental health to be spread and recognized makes me feel safe and so much more seen, especially when it’s being mentioned around my school”.
In a similar interview with another student, they state how “[they] used to think mental health wasn’t anything serious. [They] would find myself scrolling through social media and seeing other people’s lives being portrayed so greatly and perfectly–it really deteriorated [their] health.” At first, this student expressed how they tried not to let this affect them, however, they would catch themselves feeling immense levels of stress and fear of being left behind. “I remember one time during Bard’s mental health day, I went out on a trip and it really allowed me to detach from my device and enjoy my day. After that day, I decided to spend another week not browsing through social media and using my devices for as little time as possible–the difference was huge.”
Stories like this students’ are key to breaking the stigma surrounding mental health, and dismantling generations of misconceptions. As mental health continues to affect many individuals of all ages and backgrounds, many take this month as a time for reflection, education, and, most importantly: action.