May 2026
- 3 hours ago
- 3 min read
Mental Health Awareness Month 2026
See the Person. Support the Journey.
Mental health is part of everyday life. It shapes how we think, feel, and act. This year’s Mental Health Awareness Month theme is “See the Person. Support the Journey.” It highlights the importance of noticing early signs of mental health concerns, strengthening the support around us, and responding with care and compassion during challenging moments.
Mental illnesses are medical conditions involving changes in emotion, appetite, thinking, or behavior that can affect daily functioning. Serious mental illness can interfere with work, school, relationships, and self-care. Economic instability, housing insecurity, unemployment, and limited access to healthcare can increase stress and worsen mental health conditions. Mental health support can include access to healthcare, housing, employment assistance, and community programs.
Understanding serious mental illness helps people respond with empathy and confidence. Feeling heard and respected can be deeply supportive. Listening with compassion makes a difference. When someone you love is living with a serious mental illness, healthy boundaries and caring for yourself are also important.
Mental Health Awareness Month is also a good time to check in on your own mental health. Take a free, anonymous screening at wecarepeople.org/screening.
Upcoming Events
Mission of Hope's Courageous Parenting Workshops
Navigating the Teenage Years for Parents & Youth (ages 11-17)
Each Session: 5:30-7:00 p.m.
Mission of Hope: 2963 Blue Jack Court, Lima
Two-Part Workshop Options:
June 2 & 9
The Courageous Parenting Workshop: Parenting the Teenage Years helps parents and youth ages 11–17 better understand what is really going on during adolescence. Families will learn simple tools for handling big emotions, setting healthy boundaries, and communicating without things turning into a fight. The goal is to help parents and teens navigate these years with more confidence, connection, and less stress at home. The parent/guardian and student attend each session together!
Register at missionofhopeservices.org.
The Dear Nicholas Foundation: Bow Tie Event
The Dear Nicholas Foundation: Bow Tie Event
Thursday, June 4
7:00 p.m. | Doors open at 6:30 p.m.
Veterans Memorial Civic & Convention Center: 7 Town Square, Lima
Join the Dear Nicholas Foundation for its second Bow Tie Event! This meaningful night brings mental health and suicide awareness to the forefront as the community gathers during the month marking seven years since the loss of Nicholas Bader.
Dress semi-formal or come as you are—bow tie optional. Enjoy live entertainment featuring favorite Broadway songs, along with hors d’oeuvres and desserts. Cash bar available.
Proceeds will support multiple local mental health initiatives, providing care, resources, and hope throughout our community.
Tickets are $50, or reserve a table of eight for $400.
Purchase tickets at limaciviccenter.com.
Be Seen With Green: For Mental Health Awareness in May 2026
The Mental Health & Recovery Services Board is hosting our annual Be Seen with Green campaign to help raise awareness for mental health! We asked our communities in Allen, Auglaize, and Hardin Counties to show their green in May. Some ways to Be Seen with Green are:
Wear anything green, including Be Seen with Green items!
Light the outside of your business or home in green, lightbulbs provided by MHRSB
Businesses and churches display Be Seen with Green window clings, provided by MHRSB
Any other way to be seen with green
Participants are sending us their photos with green to share on our social media to help raise even more awareness. We've been sharing your photos all month long.
There is still time to participate and share your photos with us! We'll share all the photos we receive, even if they come in after May. Send your photos to us at wecarepeople2012@gmail.com or through a Facebook message.
Learn more about Be Seen with Green at wecarepeople.org/green.
Photos from Be Seen with Green
All photos can be viewed on our Facebook page and Instagram @wecarepeople.
We Care Conversations
The MHRSB video podcast, We Care Conversations, is a local resource! Co-hosts Elisa Bradley and Cody Ridenour talk with experts and professionals to learn about mental health and how people recover from different issues. They cover things like being mindful, dealing with drugs and alcohol, mental health for kids, fighting stigma, new local help services, and lots more!
Watch the videos on YouTube. You can also listen on Spotify and Apple Podcasts.
Check out the latest episode to learn about Be Seen with Green for Mental Health Awareness Month.
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