Mental illnesses are medical conditions that disrupt a person’s thinking, feeling, mood, ability to relate to others, and daily functioning. Mental Health Awareness Month is an opportunity for us to raise awareness of the importance of advocating for those living with mental illness, and break the stigma.

Mental illnesses can affect people of any age, race, religion, or income. They are not the result of personal weakness, lack of character or poor upbringing and cannot be overcome through willpower. But they are treatable. Most people diagnosed with a serious mental illness can experience relief from their symptoms by actively participating in an individual treatment plan.

Without treatment, the impact of mental illness for the individual diagnosed as well as their loved ones is significant. Untreated mental health conditions can result in unnecessary disability, unemployment, substance abuse, homelessness, inappropriate incarceration, suicide, and poor quality of life. The impact on society as a whole is also staggering, with the economic cost of untreated mental illness is more than 100 billion dollars each year in the United States.

This Mental Health Awareness Month, please join NAMI California in sharing our message of hope, empathy and support.

Here’s how you can help.

1. Learn how to become an advocate with our advocacy toolkit. This toolkit offers tips and resources on how to identify your legislators, engage, and communicate your support for mental health legislative priorities.
2. Stay updated on NAMI California’s Legislative Priorities, and join us in advocating for Californians living with mental illness and those who care for them. Sign up for alerts at namica.quorum.us.
3. Share your personal story with NAMI California. Telling personal stories of recovery can be one of the most effective ways to diminish stigma and help individuals and families who are facing challenges related to mental illness.
4. Use the hashtags #MentalHealthMonth, #MentalHealthAwarenessMonth, and #MHAM2025 to spread the word and help us #EndTheStigma around mental health and mental illness.