May is Mental Health Awareness Month! 

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Millions of Americans (roughly 1 in 4 adults) are living with a diagnosable mental health disorder in any given year. Although practically everyone has or knows someone who has struggled with a mental health issue, stigma around the topic persists, making it difficult for those who are looking for support to find the help and resources they need.

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Mental Health Awareness Month gives relevant organizations and health professionals the opportunity to reduce this stigma, fight misconceptions about mental health, and offer people the resources they need to cope with mental health issues. 

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This May, you can help these organizations amplify their voices, expand their platforms, and continue to make a difference in the lives of millions by giving your time and/or your money to support a cause whose ubiquity effects the lives almost everyone in some way. 

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If you want to make meaningful change during Mental Health Awareness Month this May, here  are a few organizations to consider:

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National Alliance on Mental Illness

The National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) is the nation’s largest grassroots mental health organization. This organization provides resources for those experiencing a mental illness to find services and treatment options, national advocacy to help make lasting policy changes, resources to support family members and friends with mental disorders, and classes for mental health education.

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For Mental Health Awareness Month, NAMI is focused on spreading awareness using #MHAM on social media, sharing personal stories from people experiencing mental health issues using the theme "Together for Mental Health,” and launching a mental health awareness campaign.

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Those who want to get involved with this organization may take a pledge to be StigmaFree, participate in awareness events, or attend their yearly conference in June.

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You can also support NAMI by making a donation today! Until May 31, all donations to NAMI up to a total of $200,000 will be matched by The Hartford in honor of Mental Health Awareness Month.

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The Jed Foundation

For those experiencing mental health issues, The Jed Foundation has mental health resources, helpful blogs, and programs that help equip individuals to navigate their mental health issues, teach schools how to improve mental health awareness and education, and help communities destigmatize mental health disorders.

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The Jed Foundation also offers resources for teens looking to support their friends, parents and guardians wanting to help the children in their care, and educators who are looking for ways to help their students.

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You can help further the work of the Jed Foundation this May by downloading and sharing these mental health support tip sheets, participating in the Mental Health Day of Action, spreading the word on social media, or hosting a fundraiser campaign. 

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The Jed Foundation is always looking for volunteers to bring Jed Foundation programs to schools, host fundraising events, provide digital media and content writing support, and run Jed Foundation tables at community events.

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May is also the perfect time to make a donation to organizations like the Jed Foundation. Donate today and help the Jed Foundation continue to make a difference for teens, educators, and other people experiencing mental health disorders.

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Mental Health America

Mental Health America (MHA) is an organization that aims to help raise awareness about mental health issues, fund mental health programs, screen people for mental health conditions, and encourage people to address mental health concerns before these concerns reach critical stages.

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MHA has reached millions of people through public education programs and raised millions of dollars to support mental health programs across the nation.

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This May, MHA is pushing people to go “Back to Basics,” by providing foundational knowledge and resources to help those who have experienced mental health disorders, especially since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. Their Back to Basics mental health toolkit and additional resources have tips for building a strong support system, learning helpful coping strategies, and managing stress.

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You can support MHA from anywhere in the nation. If you live in the Washington, D.C. metro area, you can fill out an interest form to get involved. Those who live outside of the area can find local volunteer opportunities using the “find an affiliate” tool.

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Regardless of your zip code, you can also help MHA by donating money for their helpful programs. Donate now to help Mental Health America further their mission.

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This Mental Health Awareness Month, you can make an impact when you support one of the organizations above or any of these great organizations:

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• To Write Love on Her Arms (TWLOHA)
• American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP)
• The Trevor Project‍
• Brain & Behavior Research Foundation

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Learn more about the importance of volunteering with nonprofit organizations and find more ways to support specific causes when you check out the Civic Champs blog.

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As CEO of Civic Champs, I lead our team of passionate change leaders to create technology solutions to create a seamless and rewarding volunteering experience for both volunteers and service organizations.