Happy Mental Health Awareness Month! May 2021!
Did you know that Mental Health Awareness Month has been around since 1949? It was started by Mental Health America and is celebrated every May. Its purpose is to educate and spread awareness about mental illness. Since its birth, other mental health organizations such as the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI), and Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) have joined the cause and run campaigns and events during May as well.
I am a big fan of this month. As such, my social media feed is full of mental health quotes, facts, and inspiring messages. This month shines a light on something near to my heart and something that needs to be talked about… children’s mental health!
According to the CDC, one in six kids between the ages of two and eight years old have a mental, behavioral, or developmental disorder. Navigating this world as a parent can be scary but experiencing this as a young child can be even scarier.
That’s why I am excited to announce that I partnered with NAMI Louisiana. NAMI advocates, educates, supports, and raises public awareness so that all individuals and families affected by mental illness can build better lives. They are the nation’s largest grassroots mental health organization and are dedicated to building better lives for the millions of Americans affected by mental illness.
In honor of Mental Health Awareness Month, in May, 25% of Tangled Up book proceeds will go back to NAMI Louisiana to support their efforts in advocating for mental health. Now is the perfect time to but Tangled Up for yourself, a friend, or donate to your favorite non-profit. Click here to see what NAMI Louisiana is up to!
Additionally, I have added mental health resources to the website. For parents and caregivers, I have included links to major mental health organizations as well as articles, informative tools from doctors and family coaches. My favorite addition is the new children’s resource page. Here you can find books I read with my kids and highly recommend them to family and friends.
It’s been over 70 years since Mental Health Awareness Month was started, and I am honored to join this tradition of advocacy and support. Will you join me in spreading awareness this month?
