5 FAQs Surrounding Mental Health During Mental Health Awareness Month

May is Mental Health Awareness Month, an awareness month that was first observed in 1949.¹ The month offers an opportunity to educate the general public on the prevalence of mental illnesses, including recognizing signs of mental illness in children, knowing how to support those with mental illness, and understanding the different types of mental illness. Addressing frequently asked questions surrounding mental health can be a tool to educate and reduce stigma surrounding mental health in the people around the world who live with a mental illness.

How common are mental health conditions?

The National Institute of Mental Health has estimated that 59.3 million people in the US, or 23.1% of the US adult population, are currently living with some form of mental illness.² This includes all forms of mental illness and all levels of severity. Individuals with serious mental illness are those who have a mental, behavioral, or emotional disorder that causes functional impairment and affects the quality of life for the individual who is living with this most severe form of mental illness. Data from 2024 show the prevalence of any mental illness was higher in women compared with men (26.4% vs 19.7%) and in adults aged 18 to 25 years compared with adults aged 26 to 49 years (36.2% vs 29.4%).

What are early warning signs?

Identifying symptoms early can help to prevent further deterioration in functioning and has potential to prevent suicide in some individuals. Signs that an adult or adolescent has a mental illness include excessive worrying or fear, extreme mood changes, strong feelings of irritability, avoiding friends and social activities, changes in sleeping habits, changes in eating habits, overuse of substances, inability to perceive changes in one’s feelings, inability to carry out daily activities, multiple physical ailments without obvious cause, and thoughts of suicide.³ For young children, frequent nightmares or temper tantrums and changes in school performance can be an indicators of mental health conditions.

What is the difference between mental health and mental illness?

According to the CDC, mental health is about emotional, psychological, and social well-being, including the state of well-being that helps individuals cope with life and contribute to the community.⁴ Being aware of mental health can help to identify when mental illness occurs in an individual. Mental illness can affect a person’s thinking, mood, or behavior and is identified when individuals experience mental health symptoms that last for a long period of time and interfere with daily functioning. Mental illnesses are diagnosed using the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 5th Edition and include attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, anxiety disorders, and major depressive disorder, among others.

What are some common myths about mental illness?

Although there is now more awareness surrounding mental health and mental illnesses, there are still myths and significant stigma. For example, it is a myth that therapy is only beneficial for those with serious mental illness; therapy may benefit anyone navigating normal events in life that may cause stress.⁵ Another common myth is that medication is always needed to address a mental illness. Although medication can help in some cases, treatment for mental illness can be different based on the individual, with some benefitting from therapy alone. Some patients also believe that medication will change who they are or how they feel; however, medications are often used to reduce symptoms of the mental illness when efficient. The combination of medications could take a while to determine to maximize the benefit.

Why is Mental Health Awareness Month still important?

Educating individuals on how mental health can affect their lives, as well as how to address their symptoms, is important in reducing stigma surrounding mental health.⁶ Although society is more open now when it comes to talking about mental health, stigma can still persist when it comes to severe mental illnesses, such as schizophrenia or bipolar disorder. Mental Health Awareness Month can give a platform to addressing that stigma by educating those with less knowledge on mental illness. The more that people are aware of signs and symptoms of mental illness, the easier that it will be to help someone who may be facing their symptoms quietly or alone.

References

1. Mental health awareness month. SAMHSA. Updated May 4, 2026. Accessed May 11, 2026. https://www.samhsa.gov/about/digital-toolkits/mental-health-awareness-month
2. Mental illness. National Institute of Mental Health. Updated September 2024. Accessed May 11, 2026. https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/statistics/mental-illness
3. Warning signs and symptoms. National Alliance on Mental Illness. Accessed May 11, 2026. https://www.nami.org/warning-signs-and-symptoms/
4. About mental health. CDC. June 9, 2025. Accessed May 11, 2026. https://www.cdc.gov/mental-health/about/
5. Myths and facts about mental health. American Psychiatric Association. March 5, 2025. Accessed May 11, 2026. https://www.psychiatry.org/news-room/apa-blogs/myths-and-facts-about-mental-health
6. Brown University Health Blog Team. The importance of Mental Health Awareness Month. Brown University Health. April 26, 2024. Accessed May 11, 2026. https://www.brownhealth.org/be-well/importance-mental-health-awareness-month