Celebrating Mental Health Awareness Month

May is Mental Health Awareness Month! 

By Julia Salerno, M.S., LAC

“It’s gonna be (or already is) May!”

So, not only do we need to prepare ourselves for the abundance of Justin Timberlake Memes, but we most likely will be keeping our fingers crossed for more sunny Philadelphia days. In addition to the sunny days ahead, May is actually a very important month—it is Mental Health Awareness Month.

This is the month that we not only raise awareness and educate others about mental health itself, but also strives to encourage others to talk about the internal struggles that they face.

So, it is time to throw those doors wide open, as scary as it is and encourage others to talk about IT (yes, your anxiety, depression, addiction or eating disorder).

Listen, I understand it is scary, the idea of talking about your mental health! However, this month really strives to reduce and end the stigma that is associated with mental illnesses, because the fact is that nearly 450 million people worldwide are suffering from a mental illness. So, while you might be thinking,

Will my friends judge me for seeing a therapist?

What will my loved ones think if I say I have an eating disorder, depression or anxiety?

Am I enough? Is what I’m doing enough?

Can someone love me with my mental illness?

Am I deserving of help and/or support?

Will I be able to live a full and/or fulfilling life with my mental illness?

The answer is YES. Instead of pushing down or letting your mental health go to the way side, your anxiety, depression, trauma, addiction, or eating disorder deserves space to heal.

You deserve to be in the driver seat, directing your life not your eating disorder part, not your anxious part, not your stressed part, but the real authentic you.

Just because you are struggling with your mental health, doesn’t mean you aren’t deserving of love, support, or connection. Nor does it mean you have been less value. And that specifically is also what this year’s Mental Health Awareness Month 2023 focuses on! The year’s Mental Health Awareness Month focuses on #MoreThanEnough, which emphasizes

1. The Value of Individuals as a Whole

2. Connection & Community

3. Leading Fulfilling Lives

4. Hope

5. Unity

6. Love & Support

7. Eduction & Advocacy

8. Awareness

This Mental Health Awareness Month is an opportunity to come together and remember the inherent value we each hold—no matter our diagnosis, appearance, socioeconomic status, background or ability.

If all you did was wake up today, that’s #morethanenough.

You are inherently worthy of #morethanenough life, love and healing.

Showing up, just as you are, for yourself and the people around you is #morethanenough.

If you are looking to for support for your anxiety, depression, eating disorder, trauma, grief or addictions, reach out to us to talk with a therapist today. We currently have telehealth and in-person options for individual therapy, couples therapy, and groups!