May is National Mental Health Month. Mental Health Month provides a reminder that those living with mental health issues deserve treatment, care, understanding, and compassion, along with the effort to find pathways of healing and recovery. Nearly 44 million American adults and millions of children experience mental health conditions each year, including depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, and post-traumatic stress.

I have partnered up with NAMI, the National Alliance on Mental Illness. I am participating in the You Are #NotAlone,” campaign in which they are highlighting that no one experiencing a mental health condition should feel alone. They are the nation’s largest grassroots mental health organization dedicated to building better lives for the millions of Americans affected by mental illness.

This past year and a half has been a difficult one for all of us. Many people that I know and care for deeply have experienced the hardest times of their lives. It’s no secret or surprise that suicide rates were up, especially amongst the young. Isolation, illness, and financial despair are common stories that we have heard too many times during this devastating time. So many lost loved ones, and couldn’t grieve and honor them freely and in the way, they would choose. I was personally not able to attend the funeral of my best friend’s daughter, which was a sadness that words cannot describe. The year stopped us all in our tracks, creating so much fear, uncertainty, and loss.

So many of us have been affected with, or by mental health issues, and although it is a widespread epidemic, many don’t know how to cope or even identify what may be happening to them. There is help and support out there, and I am committed to doing my part in sharing how to get help.

We are not alone in this struggle. If you or anyone you know is in need of help, you can call the NAMI Helpline at:

800-950-NAMI

Or in a crisis,

Text "NAMI" to 741741

Link to Website: NAMI

I’m here for you too.