There’s been a huge shift during my lifetime in how we talk about mental health. When I was growing up, it was rarely discussed. Friends who struggled with anxiety or depression often did so in silence, and admitting to a problem was widely seen as a sign of weakness.
It’s painful to think about how much isolation that silence caused and how many relationships were strained or broken because people felt they had to suffer alone. The less we talked about mental health, the more powerful the stigma became.
Over time, our culture began to change. Starting in the 1970s, mental health became part of a broader public conversation. Schools introduced programs, workplaces began paying closer attention, media coverage expanded, and public figures helped make the issue more visible by sharing their own struggles.
All of that has made it easier for people to ask for help. Today, resources like telehealth services, virtual talk therapy, support groups, and crisis hotlines are more accessible than ever. The stigma has lessened, too, and that progress is important to recognize.
But there’s still more work to do. That’s why Mental Health Awareness Month in May remains so important. It serves as a reminder to keep the conversation going and check in on the people we care about.
An estimated one in five adults experiences mental illness each year. The causes are complicated and often interconnected, including substance abuse, trauma, financial stress, workplace pressure, and the ordinary challenges of life that can become overwhelming when carried alone.
Loneliness deserves particular attention because it can both contribute to mental health challenges and serve as a warning sign that someone is struggling. In recent years, social isolation has become an epidemic across generations and genders. Adults over 45 report higher levels of loneliness than they did just a few years ago. Younger people are struggling as well, and men now report loneliness at slightly higher rates than women.
Research has also shown that social isolation is linked to a greater risk of depression, anxiety, and other serious health conditions. That tells us something important: Connection is part of how we stay physically and mentally well. One study I come back to often is from Harvard. For more than 80 years—the longest study on adult happiness ever conducted—researchers followed the same group of people through their lives. What they found isn’t surprising, but it’s worth remembering. The people who live the longest, healthiest, and happiest lives aren’t the ones with the most money or career success. They’re the ones with the strongest relationships.
Even the simple act of reflecting on what gives your life meaning—whether it’s work, personal growth, or community involvement—can guide you toward stronger relationships and a greater sense of fulfillment. Showing appreciation, offering support, and engaging in meaningful conversations can all help.
What’s more, these qualities reinforce one another. Strong relationships can build resilience, while a sense of purpose can deepen connections and motivate meaningful action.
Mental Health Awareness Month starts a conversation that deserves to continue well beyond May. Every time we reach out or ask for help ourselves, we push back against the silence that has left too many people suffering alone.
