Observing Mental Health Awareness Month

Mental health is a part of overall well-being—not something separate or secondary. Whether you’re managing a condition, supporting someone else, or learning more about the signs of stress, burnout, or trauma, talking about mental health is one way we all get stronger.

At Promises Brazos Valley, we believe that real healing starts with honest conversations, compassionate care, and the promise that things can get better. During Mental Health Awareness Month, there’s no better time to reach out, learn, and take the first step toward recovery. Contact Promises Brazos Valley online or call 979.426.0086 today to speak with someone from our team about our mental health treatment and addiction recovery programs.

When is Mental Health Awareness Month?

Mental Health Awareness Month is observed in the United States every May. What started in 1949 as a campaign to educate the public and reduce stigma has now grown into a nationwide movement. Organizations, health professionals, and advocates use this time to spotlight mental health concerns, amplify the voices of those with lived experience, and make resources more accessible to everyone.

While one month may seem short, it can be powerful. For many people, learning that anxiety, depression, or trauma responses are treatable—rather than personal failings—is the beginning of a significant life shift. That’s why campaigns like this are so meaningful.

More than one in five U.S. adults live with a mental health condition, according to 2023 data from the National Institute of Mental Health.¹Among these individuals, a significant number also experience substance use challenges, making integrated care more essential than ever.

How do you celebrate Mental Health Awareness Month?

There’s no one right way to honor this month, and you don’t need a big platform to make a difference. Here are a few meaningful and manageable ways to celebrate:

Try something new: Read an article, watch a video, or listen to a podcast about mental health. Learning about different experiences or hearing personal stories can really open your eyes.
Take a moment for yourself: This is a great time to check in with how you’re doing. Are you sleeping okay? Feeling stressed? Staying connected with others? Journaling or chatting with a counselor can help you work through it all.
Talk about mental health openly: Whether at work, at home, or in your community, start conversations that normalize asking for help or sharing how you’re feeling.
Support a loved one: Offer a listening ear, ask how someone is doing, or share helpful resources.
Connect with professionals: If you’ve been considering getting support, now is a great time to reach out to a therapist, psychiatrist, or treatment center.

As a Promises Behavioral Health company, Promises Brazos Valley makes substance abuse treatment possible by offering support that includes mental health care every step of the way. And for those ready to make a change, treatment starts with a promise that things can get better.

Why is talking about mental health necessary?

Mental health touches every part of life—relationships, careers, physical health, and overall satisfaction. Yet, stigma still keeps too many people silent.

When we avoid talking about mental health, people may:

Delay seeking treatment
Feel ashamed of their symptoms
Misunderstand what conditions like depression or anxiety really mean
Struggle in silence

By contrast, open conversations help normalize getting support and make it easier for others to reach out. Talking about mental health creates space for vulnerability, healing, and connection.

In addiction recovery, these conversations are even more important. Underlying mental health challenges often drive substance use, making it harder to break free until those issues are addressed.

How does mental health awareness help with addiction treatment?

Mental health awareness can transform the way we treat addiction. Many people living with substance use disorders (SUDs) also live with depression, anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), or other co-occurring conditions. According to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), approximately 21.5 million in the U.S. experience both an SUD and a mental health condition. However, fewer than half receive treatment for either.²

Here’s how awareness makes a difference in addiction recovery:

Reduces shame: Recognizing that mental health conditions are common helps people feel less isolated or “broken.”
Encourages dual diagnosis treatment: Awareness raises understanding of how intertwined addiction and mental health are. This helps people seek centers that treat both together.
Leads to better results: Treating mental health and addiction together helps people achieve greater success in recovery and reduces the chances of relapse.³
Focuses on lasting recovery: Taking care of emotional and psychological needs is key to creating a recovery plan that truly works for the long term.

At Promises Brazos Valley, we treat addiction and mental health together because we know that lasting healing means seeing the whole person.

Connect with Promises Brazos Valley and start taking care of your mental health today

Mental Health Awareness Month is a reminder that there’s always room for growth, healing, and support. Whether you’re new to recovery or have been walking this road for years, this is a powerful time to recommit to your well-being. Promises Brazos Valley is here for you every step of the way with effective treatment that focuses on what you need.

Call 979.426.0086 or contact our team online to start your recovery journey. Hope starts by reaching out—and your journey to recovery begins here.

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