by Kayla Myers, Peer Support Coordinator
May 20, 2025
May is Mental Health Awareness Month, and for me, as someone who walks this path not only for myself but alongside others as a peer and family peer supporter, it’s more than just a calendar observance. It’s a heartfelt invitation. It’s a chance to shine a light on mental well-being, reduce stigma, and encourage real, meaningful conversations about what it means to live with, and rise through, mental health challenges.
But beyond awareness, this month is also a celebration of something that’s often overlooked in clinical discussions: resilience. Real-life, hard-earned, deeply human resilience. I see it every day. In my own life, in the families I support, and in the courageous individuals I walk beside. In a world that constantly demands more, the ability to care for ourselves and each other, to bounce back, to try again, that’s nothing short of heroic in my eyes.
Too often, mental health conversations focus only on what’s “wrong” and the diagnoses, the symptoms, the crises. And yes, those realities matter. Many of us live with anxiety, depression, trauma, burnout, and more. But what also deserves our attention are the tools, the healing practices, and the communities of support that help us grow and thrive. Mental Health Awareness Month is our opportunity to shift the narrative and to move beyond the struggle and toward hope, healing, and wholeness. Let’s take this time to honor not only the reality of mental health challenges but also the journey of recovery and transformation. Because healing isn’t just possible, it’s happening, every day, in quiet and courageous ways.
As a peer supporter, I’ve learned that wellness doesn’t have to look perfect, and it certainly isn’t linear. It’s not about having it all together. It’s about balance, intention, and self-compassion. It’s about figuring out what works for you, not what someone else says should work. Wellness might be a daily walk, journaling your thoughts, practicing mindfulness, or reaching out to a friend when things feel heavy. It might be therapy, medication, spiritual practice, or learning to say “no” and create boundaries. For some of us, it’s learning to rest without guilt. For others, it’s reconnecting with community or family in new and healthier ways. The beauty of wellness is that it’s personal. And the power in that? It gives us autonomy. It reminds us that even on our hardest days, there are small, meaningful steps we can take to support ourselves and others.
When I think about resilience, I don’t think about superhuman strength. I think about showing up. I think about people who’ve faced deep pain and still offer kindness. I think about parents who advocate fiercely for their children while carrying their own emotional load. I think about peers who choose recovery every single day, even when it’s hard.
Resilience is in the tiny victories: Getting out of bed. Making a phone call. Attending a support group. Letting yourself cry. Laughing again. Saying, “I need help.” Every single one of those moments counts. And if you’re reading this and wondering if you’re resilient, you are. If you’ve made it through something you thought you couldn’t, if you’ve chosen to heal, if you’ve dared to hope, you’re already embodying the kind of strength that changes lives.
Mental Health Awareness Month is a call to action, yes, but it’s also a celebration of how far we’ve come. As individuals. As families. As communities. We still have work to do, but every time we speak up, share our story, or reach out to support someone else, we’re making change. Real change.
Whether you’re deep in your healing, just beginning, supporting a loved one, or simply becoming more aware, you’re part of this movement. Your voice, your story, your presence, it matters. Let’s continue building spaces where people feel safe to speak openly, where families are supported, and where no one feels like they have to walk this path alone. Together, we’re creating a future where mental health is not just acknowledged, but truly valued and celebrated.
Happy Mental Health Awareness Month. May this month be filled with compassion, connection, and the unwavering belief that no matter what we face—there is always hope, always healing, and always a way forward.
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