May is Mental Health Awareness Month, and Embracing the Unexpected | Maree Dee is honored to present campaigns, share resources, and engage in discussions to make a difference. Each of us holds the potential to support someone in need, which includes ourselves. Will you show your support by participating in one or more of the activities below?
Ways to Participate in Mental Health Awareness Month
Here are several ways to get involved—
- Engage in a mental health awareness campaign
- Share a relevant post below about mental health
- Spread awareness by sharing supportive resources
- Utilize your social media platforms to discuss mental health openly.
- Initiate conversations about mental health with friends and family
- Reach out to someone who may be struggling
- Connect and follow us on social media for ongoing discussions on mental health.
- Be a supportive listener to someone who needs help.
- Offer prayers for individuals navigating mental health issues.
Before you go, let’s clarify the difference between mental health and mental illness. Understanding this contrast is crucial for fostering empathy and support.
Distinguishing Mental Health from Mental Illness
Mental health affects everyone! Mental health encompasses our overall well-being and how effectively we function in various aspects of life, including emotional stability, resilience, and coping with life’s challenges. Maintaining good mental health involves social support, self-care practices, and other essential elements.
Conversely, mental illness refers to diagnosable conditions that significantly impact an individual’s thoughts, emotions, and behaviors, often causing distress and impairments in functioning. These conditions vary widely, from mood disorders like depression and bipolar disorder to anxiety disorders,
schizophrenia, and more. Seeking appropriate treatment, which may include therapy, medication, or a combination of both, is crucial for managing mental illness effectively.
While mental health and mental illness are related, they are distinct concepts. Mental health encompasses our overall well-being, whereas mental illness refers to specific conditions that require specialized treatment.
How would you explain the distinction between mental health and mental illness?
How would you explain the distinction between mental health and mental illness? #mentalhealthawarnessmonth #mentalhealthawareness #embracingtheunexpected Share on XWhy Raise Awareness
It is crucial to address mental health openly, given that 1 in 5 people will experience a mental illness during their lifetime. Mental illness is one of our country’s most widespread health issues. Yet, we often talk about it in hushed tones or not at all. By raising awareness and fostering understanding, we will break down stigma, which will help foster empathy, support, and access to resources for those with a mental illness and their families.
Mental Health Awareness Month: Mental health challenges don’t solely impact the person with the illness. The entire family needs our support. #mentalhealthawarenessmonth #mareedee Share on XJoin us at Embracing the Unexpected | Maree Dee in supporting Mental Health Awareness Month and making a difference in the lives of others.
Engage in a Campaign and Make a Difference!
Join Us on Social Media During Mental Health Awareness Month
Our theme this year is “Keep Showing Up.” Each Wednesday in May, on Facebook and Instagram, we will be discussing how we can show up for ourselves and others to improve our mental health.
Mental Health America
This May, we recognize that awareness is just the beginning. Mental Health America’s theme, “Turn Awareness into Action,” challenges us to move from understanding to real support and change. Tap here to learn more and help spread awareness.
National Alliance for Mental Illness
In addition, NAMI’s campaign, “In Every Story, There’s Strength,” reminds us that sharing our mental health journeys builds connection, honors resilience, and gives others hope. Tap here to learn more.
Mental Health Awareness—Borderline Personality Disorder
National Education Alliance for Borderline Personality Disorder is a resource for families, people in recovery, and professionals impacted by this illness. May is also BPD awareness month. Click here to visit the website and learn more.
Mental Health Caregiver Support
Embracing Faith & Mental Illness Community for Caregivers
Embracing Faith & Mental Illness is a Christ-centered online community for people who care for someone with a mental illness. We have four unique ways for caregivers to participate. You choose what works best for you..
#1—Mental Health Newsletter for Caregivers (1st and 15th of the month)
Join our monthly newsletters for caregivers. Our emails are informative and empowering for those who care about someone with a mental illness. They contain unique insights to help you stay updated and better equipped to offer care to your loved one and take care of yourself.
These emails include resources and tools to assist you in caregiving, such as helpful tips, skills, blog posts, and more. We also include a personal perspective from someone with a lived experience of mental illness.
#2—Private Facebook Group
Our private Facebook community is Christ-centered for people who care for someone with a mental illness. It is a safe place to express your concerns, ask questions, and seek support. We hope you will build relationships and find encouragement among people going through similar circumstances.
#3—Real Talk, Real Support Zoom Call
Maree hosts 𝗥𝗲𝗮𝗹 𝗧𝗮𝗹𝗸, 𝗥𝗲𝗮l 𝗦𝘂𝗽𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁 monthly via Zoom every second Wednesday from 6:30 – 7:30 pm (Mountain Time). Connecting with others who understand what it’s like to love someone with a mental illness can be incredibly encouraging. Together, we can be better caregivers!
Although it is an informal time to gather for prayer and support, the meetings generally center around a topic related to loving someone with a mental illness. You must be on the newsletter email list or part of our private Facebook group to receive the Zoom link.
#4—Navigating Mental Illness: Valuable Talks to Empower Caregivers | Zoom
Join us for our Valuable Talks to Empower Caregivers Series, held from January to May and September to November on the first Saturday of each month. Maree or a guest speaker will deliver Zoom presentations designed to offer support, education, discussion, and life-changing skills. To receive reminders, subscribe to our Embracing Faith & Mental Illness email list or visit our page for all upcoming talks.
Upcoming Talk: Navigating Family Life in the Shadow of Mental Illness
Mental illness doesn’t only impact the individual diagnosed—it casts a shadow over the entire family, affecting each member in different ways. Through education, honest discussions, and shared stories, we’ll delve into the unique challenges faced by different roles in the family. You’ll gain insights, find solidarity, and discover you are not alone in this journey.
Join us for this inspiring session led by Maree Dee, founder of Embracing Faith & Mental Illness, via Zoom on Saturday, May 3, 2025, at 9:00 AM (Mountain Time).
Mental Health Classes for Families
The National Education Alliance for Borderline Personality Disorder—NEA.BPD offers an incredible class called Family Connections. This course is for individuals who support someone with BPD or emotional dysregulation. You will learn about the disorder and skills that will make a difference in your family. For more information about this class, please click here. Maree is a trained Family Connections teacher and has proudly served as a board member for this incredible organization.
The National Alliance on Mental Illness offers an excellent class called Family to Family. This program is for family members, significant others, and friends of people living with mental illness. Please click here to learn more.
For additional resources on mental health, please click here.
Posts Related to Mental Health
Click the graphic to take you to the article.
Celebrating Mother’s Day is important even when your child has a mental illness. We must push beyond the challenges and see the benefits.
Are you one who jumps right in to help others? Perhaps there is a better way to share the burden with a loved one.
Will you join me in stepping up during May and helping with Mental Health Awareness? Let’s strike down those false beliefs.
You have tried everything to assist someone you care about. How do you help in the wait when your loved one won’t fight their battle?
Watch a video presentation about Mental Illness: How to Step in and Help a Family Like Mine. We all can do something to support.
We all can be a part of suicide prevention regardless of our training. You might be the one to save a life.
Do you ever feel ill-equipped to help? Did you know there is one thing everyone can offer someone with a mental illness?
Have you ever been given the privilege of caring for another human being? Find out today two ways to help you be a compassionate caregiver.
Have you ever tried to help someone you love in pain? You hope and pray they will at least know they are not alone in the struggle.
“Please, not again; I can’t listen to you talk about what might happen! Learn how to help someone with an anxiety disorder.
To read our top ten posts on mental health, click here.
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Mental Health Awareness Month: How will you make a difference in the life of someone impacted by mental illness? Share on X
It’s inspiring to see initiatives like yours raising awareness about mental health. By breaking the silence and stigma, we pave the way for better understanding and support. The resources and campaigns you’ve highlighted, like those from Mental Health America and NAMI, are invaluable in fostering this dialogue. Keep up the great work!