May is mental health awareness month.  It is an opportunity to talk about mental illness openly, reduce the stigma associated with it and support further research on improving treatment.

As First Lady Michelle Obama said at the launch of the Campaign to Change Direction, now is the time for us to “flip the script on mental illness.” She continued:

"It’s time to tell everyone dealing with a mental health issue that they are not alone, and that getting support isn’t a sign of weakness, it’s a sign of strength."

It is more important than ever for all of us to know that behavioral health is essential to health, prevention works, treatment is effective, and people recover. Today, adults with mental illnesses and children and adolescents with emotional disturbances have improved access to care. Further, states are devoting significant resources to support early interventions for people recently diagnosed with serious mental illnesses. With access to treatment, people have hope for recovery.

National Mental Health Awareness Month gives us all the opportunity to combat the negative attitudes, prejudice, and discrimination that prevent people from accessing treatment and supports and isolate people from their communities. By raising awareness, we can increase the percentage of people who are willing to seek the help they need.

Please donate to the Brain and Behavior Research Foundation.

The mission of the Brain and Behavior Research Foundation is to alleviate the suffering caused by mental illness by awarding grants that will lead to advances and breakthroughs in scientific research.  Their vision for success is dramatically improving the lives of those with mental illness and ultimately enabling people to live full, happy and productive lives.