May is Mental Health Awareness Month—a time to promote mental wellness.
Throughout the month, local agencies and community organizations host events to share stories of success, educate the public about mental health, and encourage people to utilize community resources for their mental well-being.
This year’s theme—More Good Days, Together—encourages us all to reflect on what a “good” day looks like, both for ourselves, and for our communities. Together, we can use that insight to connect people to the right support at the right time, and shape advocacy, education, and community engagement to make more good days possible for all.
A year-round effort is the Anti-Stigma Coalition’s Join the Conversation campaign—delivering messages to reduce stigma around mental health diagnoses and remind people they are not alone. Many individuals are experiencing similar challenges, and by encouraging them to talk to someone sooner rather than later, the goal is to reduce stigma and lower barriers to seeking help.
Each month, the Coalition presents Facebook Live events on topics such as anxiety disorder, obsessive compulsive disorder, mental health in the construction industry and stigma in the indigenous population. Upcoming shows will focus on PTSD and mental wellness of older adults.
According to Matthew G. Smith, chair of the Anti-Stigma Coalition and executive director, Preventionfocus, Inc., annual observances like Mental Health Awareness Month are very useful for increasing the visibility of important issues.
“While we care about mental health every day of the year, it’s beneficial to have a time to encourage a larger number of awareness activities and events,” he said.
“These strategies get the public’s attention, spark conversation, and hopefully inspire greater commitments to the cause of increasing support for mental health,” Smith said. “All are encouraged to plug in to this year’s Mental Health Awareness Month and do all we can to make all associated efforts as successful as possible.”
The community celebrated at Music is Healing on Saturday, May 16 at The Broadway Market with music, connection, and community.
Presented by Dumas R.I.S.E. Providers, Inc, in collaboration with the Erie County Commission on the Status of Women and the Anti-Stigma Coalition, the event featured a live performance by Motown J, and community conversation breaking stigma, promoting healing, and elevating voices.
“Music is Healing was created to bring our community together in a positive and culturally meaningful way while promoting conversations around mental wellness,” said Kelly Dumas, LCSW, co-founder/member, Dumas R.I.S.E., LLC. “Mental Health Awareness Month is important because it helps reduce stigma, increase understanding, and remind people that support and healing are possible.”
People of all ages struggle with mental illness. If you or someone you love is dealing with a mental health issue, help is available and recovery is possible. There are a variety of organizations and programs across Western New York standing by to assist children, adolescents, adults and families with prevention, treatment and recovery.
The Anti-Stigma Coalition website offers an extensive list of resources by County.
Another positive step is checking on your own mental health with a test at mhascreening.org. Online screening is one of the quickest and easiest ways to see what mental health symptoms you might be experiencing. It’s free, quick, confidential, and backed up by science.
Learn more about Mental Health Month at 2026 Mental Health Month Action Guide
If you’re in crisis or need immediate support, help is available now. Call or text 988 or chat via 988lifeline.org for free, confidential support 24/7.
