top of page
Search

Seeing Green? It's Time for Mental Health Awareness

As a disclaimer, EnvisionCo Blog is reader-supported. Some links on this site are for additional informational purposes whereas some others are affiliate links (don't worry, these will be clearly marked as such). When you click through an affiliate link on our site and sign-up for a service or finalize a purchase, we may earn affiliate commissions. This of course is at no additional cost to you. Additionally, EnvisionCo Blog is for informational and educational purposes only and is in no way intended to be a substitute for financial advice by a registered certified financial planner, medical advice by a qualified physician, or therapy by a trained mental health professional.



Have you started to see the green ribbons yet? Have you started to see the green ribbons yet? Those small but significant emblems popping up on lapels, social media profiles, and in community spaces signal the arrival of May – Mental Health Awareness Month. It's more than just a designated time on the calendar; it's an annual invitation to turn our collective attention toward the well-being of our minds, just as we do for our bodies.


For many, the concept of "mental health" can feel abstract or even stigmatized. We readily discuss a physical ailment, a broken bone, or the latest flu strain, but conversations surrounding anxiety, depression, or other mental health challenges often remain hushed. Mental Health Awareness Month serves as a crucial catalyst to break down these barriers, fostering open dialogue and understanding. Those green ribbons are more than just a pop of color—they’re a symbol of solidarity, support, and the ongoing fight to end the stigma surrounding mental health. Established in 1949, this month-long observance serves as a powerful reminder that mental health is just as important as physical health and that everyone deserves access to support, understanding, and care.


Mental Health Awareness Month encourages individuals, communities, workplaces, and policymakers to take an honest look at how mental health is discussed and treated in our society. Think of it as a global check-in. Just as we schedule routine physicals, this month encourages us to reflect on our emotional and psychological state. It prompts us to consider the well-being of our friends, family, and colleagues, and to recognize that mental health is an integral part of overall health. It’s a time to raise our voices for those who feel silenced by shame or misinformation, and to educate ourselves on the complexities of mental wellness. From anxiety and depression to trauma and bipolar disorder, mental health conditions affect people of every age, background, and walk of life.


Throughout May, you'll likely encounter a wealth of information and initiatives aimed at raising awareness. Organizations and individuals will share resources, personal stories, and expert insights on various aspects of mental health. You might see campaigns focused on reducing stigma, promoting early intervention, or advocating for better access to mental healthcare. Here at Envision Coaching & Consulting, we champion engagement in self-nurturing activities to increase overall well-being. We observe it by keeping a list of resources handy. We never know when we or someone we know and love could use resources. For your convenience, we have included a list of resources below.


Mental Health America Crisis Resource List:

Suicide & Crisis Lifeline The 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline provides free and confidential emotional support to people in suicidal crisis or emotional distress 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, across the United States and its territories. The 988 Lifeline is comprised of a national network of over 200 local crisis centers, combining local care and resources with national standards and best practices.


Disaster Distress Helpline The National Disaster Distress Helpline is available for anyone experiencing emotional #distress related to natural or human-caused disasters. Call or text 1-800-985-5990 to be connected to a trained, caring counselor, 24/7/365. disasterdistress.samhsa.gov


Crisis Text Line Text HOME to 741741 from anywhere in the United States – 24/7, free, confidential. Crisis Text Line (CTL) is here for you. A live, trained volunteer Crisis Counselor receives the text and responds, all from our secure online platform. The volunteer Crisis Counselor will help you move from a hot moment to a cool calm.


The Trevor Project The Trevor Project is the leading suicide prevention and crisis intervention nonprofit organization for LGBTQ+ young people. We provide information & support to LGBTQ+ young people 24/7, all year round.


Trans Lifeline Dial 877-565-8860 for US and 877-330-6366 for Canada. Trans Lifeline’s Hotline is a peer support phone service run by trans people for our trans and questioning peers. Call us if you need someone trans to talk to, even if you’re not in a crisis or if you’re not sure you’re trans. When you contact us, you’ll be connected to a trans/nonbinary peer operator. You will have full anonymity and confidentiality. There will be no nonconsensual active rescue (calling 911, emergency services, or law enforcement).


Dial 2-1-1 If you need assistance finding food, paying for housing bills, accessing free childcare, or other essential services, visit 211.org or dial 211 to speak to someone who can help. Run by the United Way.


National Domestic Violence Hotline For any victims and survivors who need support, call 1-800-799-7233 or 1-800-799-7233 for TTY, or if you’re unable to speak safely, you can log onto thehotline.org or text START to 88788. The hotline is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year. The National Domestic Violence Hotline provides essential tools and support to help survivors of domestic violence so they can live their lives free of abuse. When contacting The Hotline, you can expect to speak with highly-trained, expert advocates that offer free, confidential, and compassionate support, crisis intervention information, education, and referral services in over 200 languages.


StrongHearts Native Helpline  Call 1-844-762-8483. The StrongHearts Native Helpline is a confidential and anonymous culturally-appropriate domestic violence and dating violence helpline for Native Americans, available every day from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. CT. By calling or texting 1-844-7NATIVE (762-8483), or chatting online at strongheartshelpline.org: survivors, family, friends and partners questioning their own behavior can connect with StrongHearts advocates who provide support and advocacy including:

  • Crisis intervention.

  • Assistance with safety planning.

  • Domestic violence education and information.

  • Referrals to Native-centered domestic violence and sexual violence service providers.

  • Basic information about health options.

  • Support finding a local health facility or crisis center trained in the care of sexual assault survivors and forensic exams.

  • General information about jurisdiction and legal advocacy referrals.


The National Sexual Assault Telephone Hotline Call 800.656.HOPE (4673) to be connected with a trained staff member from a sexual assault service provider in your area. When you call 800.656.HOPE (4673), you’ll be routed to a local RAINN affiliate organization based on the first six digits of your phone number. Cell phone callers have the option to enter the ZIP code of their current location to more accurately locate the nearest sexual assault service provider.


Caregiver Help Desk Contact Caregiver Action Network's Care Support Team by dialing 855-227-3640. Staffed by caregiving experts, the Help Desk helps you find the right information you need to help you navigate your complex caregiving challenges. Caregiving experts are available 8:00 AM – 7:00 PM ET.


The Partnership for Drug-free Kids Helpline Call 1-855-378-4373 if you are having difficulty accessing support for your family, or a loved one struggling with addiction faces care or treatment challenges resulting from COVID-19 circumstances, the Partnership for Drug-free Kids' specialists can guide you. Support is available in English and Spanish, from 9:00 am -midnight ET weekdays and noon-5:00pm ET on weekends.


Physician Support Line The Physician Support Line is available at 1-888-409-0141 every day from 8:00 AM - 12:00 AM ET. Physician Support Line is a national, free, and confidential support line service made up of 600+ volunteer psychiatrists to provide peer support for other physicians and American medical students.



It just isn't possible to spotlight all organizations for all groups when you go it alone. And thanks my dear readers, I have found over the years that I do not have to go it alone. I received an email from Jasmine Zaldivar, a recovery advocate and internet activist. "My purpose is to ensure the people of our great Country have access to competent mental health resources. The disparity in access to mental health resources has created inequities that have affected generations, but we can make a stand together." Her words to me were a sobering reminder that I am not in this mental wellness fight alone. Thank you Jasmine!


MARR is a non-profit organization that has been helping families overcome addiction for over 40 years. Their guide, Family Resources for Understanding Addiction, has over 30 resources and literature recommendations designed to help families navigate the complicated world of addiction.



Loneliness has emerged as a key public health issue facing America. The Summit Wellness Group has put together an incredible guide with dozens of mental health and substance use resources that can help. Please check it out A Guide for Addressing the Loneliness Epidemic.



Live Another Day was founded to provide equal access to life-saving resources. They offer dozens of resources for finding help for mental health and substance use.



An excellent resource that features abundant information including mental health and substance use resources specifically for the AAPI (American Asian and Pacific Islander) community.




Mental Health Awareness Month invites all of us to be part of the change. The green ribbon symbolizes hope and renewal. It also challenges us to replace judgment with compassion. By wearing it, sharing resources, participating in community events, or simply checking in on a friend, we help build a culture where people feel safe to seek help when they need it most. So, the next time you see a green ribbon, let it be a gentle nudge to care—for yourself, for others, and for a future where mental health is treated with the respect and seriousness it deserves. I hope that you have found the information provided useful. Please feel free to share your thoughts or any other organizations you know of that I may have missed in the comments below. Please feel free to also post your appreciation to Ms. Jasmine Zaldivar; advocates like her help increase visibility of available resources. And as always, please remember. Wherever you are on this journey, do not worry about getting it perfect; just get it going. Take care of yourselves and take care of each other. Until next time. Happy reading!



Affiliate Link to Follow

Join licensed therapist and relationship expert Jessica Baum in this self-paced, guided support course! In this course you will explore unhealthy relationship dynamics and receive guidance on how to detox from narcissistic abuse, heal from gaslighting, and break free from trauma bonds. Start healing core wounds and bulletproof yourself against toxic relationships in the future! Break the cycle of toxic relationships today! Click here to join 7 Stages of Detoxing from Toxic Relationships: A Guided Support Course with Jessica Baum.


"There is no health without mental health." ~David Satcher

Here at EnvisionCo Blog, we try to keep ads to a minimum making our blog entirely reader-supported. We may feature links on this site for additional informational purposes. From time to time, we may feature other links which are affiliate links (and these will be clearly marked). When you click through an affiliate link on our site and sign up for a service or finalize a purchase, we may earn affiliate commissions. This is of course at no additional cost to you. However, if you like what you see and would like to make a donation to help us keep ads to a minimum, we would greatly appreciate it! Nothing fancy. We accept the price of a cup coffee with as much gratitude as we would the price of a tank of gas!


Comments

Post: Blog2_Post
bottom of page