MENTAL HEALTH AWARENESS MONTH
National Observance – Online and Virtual Events – Free Resources
“More Good Days, Together” – Mental Health America’s 2026 Theme
About Mental Health Awareness Month
May is Mental Health Awareness Month – a nationwide call to reduce stigma, share stories of healing, and connect people to the support they deserve. The 2026 theme, More Good Days, Together, is led by Mental Health America (MHA) and invites every person to reflect on what a ‘good day’ looks like for themselves and their community. 1 in 5 adults in the United States experience a mental health condition each year – yet 5 in 5 people manage their mental health every single day. This month is for all of us.
Green is the official color of mental health awareness. Wear it, share it, and join the movement. Explore this month’s events, resources, and on-demand tools below – all free and open to the public.
Live Virtual Events – May 2026
Ending the Silence – Virtual Family Presentation (En Espanol)
Tuesday, May 5, 2026 – 3:00 PM – 4:00 PM PT (6:00 PM – 7:00 PM ET) – Virtual – Free
Presented by NAMI-NYC, this session teaches families how to recognize warning signs of mental health challenges in middle and high school students, build conversations around mental health, and connect young people to help before a struggle becomes a crisis. Presented entirely in Spanish – open to all families. Register at NAMI-NYC Mental Health Month Events.
Peer Recovery Panel: Real Stories, Real Hope
Thursday, May 7, 2026 – 7:30 AM – 8:30 AM PT (10:30 AM – 11:30 AM ET) – Virtual – Free
Presented by NAMI DuPage, peer panelists share their personal journeys of recovery – the hard moments, the turning points, and what led them to become Recovery Support Specialists. A space for honest conversation, lived experience, and genuine hope. Register at NAMI DuPage MHAM Events.
National Children’s Mental Health Awareness Day – Observance
Thursday, May 7, 2026 – All Day – Online Resources Available
SAMHSA and mental health organizations nationwide mark the mental health needs of children and young people. Explore family resources, share stories of support, and learn how to recognize early signs of mental health challenges in youth. Visit SAMHSA Children’s Mental Health Resources and NAMI Children’s Mental Health Resources to learn more.
Women’s Wellbeing Workshop: Setting Boundaries Without Apology
Tuesday, May 12, 2026 – 4:00 PM – 5:30 PM PT (7:00 PM – 8:30 PM ET) – Virtual – Free
Presented by NAMI DuPage, this workshop is for women who spend energy showing up for everyone else but rarely for themselves. Explore practical tools for managing stress, setting boundaries, and making mental health a genuine priority. Register at NAMI DuPage MHAM Events.
Hearing Loss and Mental Health: Shining a Light on a Hidden Connection
Wednesday, May 13, 2026 – 12:00 PM – 1:00 PM PT (3:00 PM – 4:00 PM ET) – Virtual – Free
Presented by NAMI DuPage, this webinar explores the under-discussed links between hearing loss and mental health – including social isolation, communication fatigue, anxiety, and depression that millions experience silently. Register at NAMI DuPage MHAM Events.
Ending the Silence – Virtual Family Presentation (English)
Wednesday, May 13, 2026 – 3:30 PM – 4:30 PM PT (6:30 PM – 7:30 PM ET) – Virtual – Free
NAMI-NYC presents this free virtual session for families and caregivers of middle and high school students. Learn to identify warning signs of mental health challenges, find the right words for hard conversations, and connect young people to help. Register at NAMI-NYC Mental Health Month Events.
Family and Friends: Supporting a Loved One with a Mental Health Condition
Tuesday, May 19, 2026 – 3:00 PM – 4:30 PM PT (6:00 PM – 7:30 PM ET) – Virtual – Free
Presented by NAMI-NYC, this 90-minute session is for anyone with a family member or close friend navigating a mental health condition – especially those new to this experience. Learn how to offer meaningful support, care for yourself, and access community resources. Register at NAMI-NYC Mental Health Month Events.
More Good Days, Together: MHA Virtual Wellness Experience
Wednesday, May 20, 2026 – 9:00 AM – 11:00 AM PT (12:00 PM – 2:00 PM ET) – Virtual – Free
Signature Event – Mental Health America. An immersive two-hour virtual experience designed to support your mind and body. Join for guided chair yoga, reflective journaling, and calming breathwork, plus insights into how everyday lifestyle choices shape emotional well-being. Open to all. Register at MHA Virtual Wellness Experience.
Young Adult Mental Health: Navigating the Leap to Adulthood
Wednesday, May 20, 2026 – 12:00 PM – 1:00 PM PT (3:00 PM – 4:00 PM ET) – Virtual – Free
Presented by NAMI DuPage, this session explores the unique pressures facing young adults – navigating big life decisions, independence, shifting relationships, and identity. Practical guidance on recognizing strain early and finding the right support. Register at NAMI DuPage MHAM Events.
Community Leaders Roundtable: Mental Health in the Workplace and Beyond
Tuesday, May 26, 2026 – 4:00 PM – 5:00 PM PT (7:00 PM – 8:00 PM ET) – Virtual – Free
NAMI DuPage brings together leaders from business, nonprofits, schools, law enforcement, and government for a focused cross-sector conversation on supporting employees, families, and communities. Featuring expert insights on key mental health trends shaping workplaces today. Register at NAMI DuPage MHAM Events.
NAMICon 2026 – NAMI National Convention
Thursday, May 28 – Saturday, May 30, 2026 – In-Person – Atlanta Marriott Marquis, Atlanta, GA
The nation’s largest gathering of mental health advocates brings together people with lived experience, caregivers, clinicians, and allies for three days of education, advocacy training, peer-led conversations, and community building. Note: This is an in-person event. Registration and full details at NAMICon 2026.
On-Demand Resources – Available All Month
988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline
Available 24 hours a day – 7 days a week. Call or text 988 – or chat live at 988lifeline.org. Trained crisis counselors provide immediate, confidential support for anyone experiencing a mental health, substance use, or suicidal crisis. Free – no insurance required – no appointment needed.
Hope Starts With Us – NAMI Podcast
On-demand – 101 public episodes. Hosted by NAMI CEO Daniel H. Gillison Jr., each episode brings vital mental health conversations to light – covering bipolar disorder, recovery, workplace wellness, criminal justice, stigma, lived experience, and more. Episodes release every other Wednesday and are available on all major podcast platforms and at NAMI Podcasts and Webinars. Free – publicly accessible.
Inside Mental Health – ADAA Podcast with Psych Central
On-demand – weekly – 200+ public episodes. An award-winning podcast hosted by Gabe Howard that explores anxiety, depression, OCD, PTSD, schizophrenia, hearing voices, and more through candid conversations with ADAA experts and people with lived experience. Listen free at Inside Mental Health Podcast or on any major podcast platform. Publicly accessible – no login required.
NAMI Webinar and Town Hall Archive
On-demand – 20+ public recordings. NAMI’s archive of virtual town halls and expert webinars covers a wide range of mental health topics – from equity and policy to lived experience stories, medication questions, crisis response, and community support. Browse and watch free at NAMI Podcasts and Webinars. No login required.
SAMHSA Recorded Webinars – Behavioral Health and Wellness
On-demand – 15+ public recordings. SAMHSA’s recorded webinar library covers peer support, veteran mental health, co-occurring disorders, trauma-informed care, crisis response, and whole person care – all publicly accessible at no cost. Browse the archive at SAMHSA Webinar and Toolkit Library.
Free Mental Health Screening Tools – Mental Health America
Take a free, confidential mental health self-assessment at any time – for depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, PTSD, psychosis, eating disorders, and more. Available in English and Spanish. Screenings are not a clinical diagnosis but are a powerful, private first step. Access them at MHA Screening Tools.
2026 Mental Health Month Action Guide – Mental Health America
MHA’s comprehensive Action Guide offers online activities, printable tools, self-care practices, journaling prompts, and practical resources for individuals, workplaces, schools, and communities. Available in English and Spanish. Explore it at MHA 2026 Action Guide.
SAMHSA 2026 Mental Health Awareness Month Toolkit
Download SAMHSA’s free MHAM 2026 toolkit featuring weekly key messages for May, social media graphics, messaging guides for diverse audiences, and community engagement strategies. Available at SAMHSA MHAM Toolkit.
Additional Resources
Mental Health America – Main Website and 2026 Mental Health Month Hub – Resources, screenings, advocacy tools, action guide, and full month programming
SAMHSA Mental Health Resource Center – Federal resources for mental health support, treatment locators, and crisis services
NAMI – Find Help and Local Support – HelpLine, peer support, education programs, and local NAMI affiliate finder
ADAA Free Webinars and Expert Resources – Free webinars on anxiety, depression, OCD, PTSD, and related conditions from ADAA experts
NAMI HelpLine – Call or Text – Call 1-800-950-NAMI (6264) or text NAMI to 62640 – Monday through Friday, 7:00 AM – 7:00 PM PT
MHA Find a Local Affiliate – Locate a Mental Health America affiliate for local programs, events, and support near you
MHA Be Seen in Green Fundraiser – Join MHA’s May fundraising campaign – wear green and raise awareness all month long
About Mental Health Awareness Month and Its Organizers
Mental Health Awareness Month is a national observance held each May, founded by Mental Health America (MHA) in 1949. For more than 75 years, MHA and its network of over 200 community affiliates have led the effort to promote mental wellness, fight stigma, and connect people to care. The 2026 theme – More Good Days, Together – recognizes that mental health looks different for every person and that community connection is one of the most powerful tools available. SAMHSA, NAMI, ADAA, and thousands of organizations nationwide join MHA each May to amplify this message. 1 in 5 American adults lives with a mental health condition, and all 5 in 5 manage their mental health every day. Everyone deserves more good days.
Disclaimer
DISCLAIMER: Information is shared solely as a courtesy. Not a substitute for legal advice, professional mental health treatment, or emergency services. If a child or person is in immediate danger, call 911 or contact local law enforcement. For mental health, substance use, or suicidal crises, call or text 988 (Suicide and Crisis Lifeline) or visit 988lifeline.org. Seek guidance from a qualified medical or mental health professional for personalized care. All services listed are believed to be free and publicly accessible at time of posting – verify details directly with each provider as offerings may change.