May is Mental Health Awareness Month

This May, join us in recognizing Mental Health Awareness Month—an international observance dedicated to promoting mental health education, awareness, and advocacy.

Mental health affects how we think, feel, and function each day; yet millions continue to struggle in silence due to stigma, misinformation, and a lack of support.

In 2025, the focus remains on emphasizing the importance of mental well-being and recognizing mental health issues as legitimate health concerns.

Let us encourage everyone to speak openly about mental health, listen without judgment, and advocate for those affected.

Awareness is the first step toward change, but action must drive impact. Whether it’s checking in with a friend, sharing resources, or fostering greater understanding, we must create environments where people feel safe, supported, and empowered to seek help when they need it.

Mental health is health, and it’s time we treat it that way. This month, let’s raise our voices, reduce stigma, and work together for a future where mental well-being is encouraged and promoted everywhere.


Turn Awareness into Action

“Turn Awareness into Action”

Under the leadership of the Office of the Special Envoy for the Development of Families and Children (OSE), the Spouses of Caribbean Leaders Action Network (SCLAN) continues its mission to promote mental well-being across Belize.

Through our “Engaging Men and Boys to Advance Gender Equality and Help Prevent Gender-Based Violence” training sessions in secondary and tertiary schools, we emphasize Mental Health – one of SCLAN’s core pillars.

Students are empowered with knowledge on:
Promoting Positive Mental Health
Myths vs. Realities of Mental Health & Illness
Emotional and Self-Awareness
Bullying & Suicide Prevention

These sessions create safe spaces for young people to better understand their emotions, identify warning signs, and to seek help!

Let May be the month we break the silence and embrace healing!
#MentalHealthAwarenessMonth


Some Tips to Support Mental Wellness

It's essential to recognize that mental health is a vital aspect of our overall health. Prioritizing it means cultivating habits that promote resilience and happiness. So, as we continue to observe Mental Health Awareness Month, here are some practical tips to support mental wellness:

Manage Stress – Learn to recognize and manage stress through relaxation techniques, time management, or professional help.

Stay Active – Regular physical activity boosts mood and reduces anxiety and depression.

Meditate – Practicing mindfulness or meditation helps calm the mind and improve emotional regulation.

Eat a Balanced Diet – Nourish your body and mind with a healthy mix of nutrients.

Get Enough Sleep – Prioritize restful sleep to support brain function and emotional health.

Keep a Journal – Writing down thoughts and feelings can help process emotions and track mental well-being.

Spend Time in Nature – Connecting with nature reduces stress and enhances mood.

Seek Support – Reach out to friends, family, or professionals when you need help or someone to talk to.

By practicing these tips, you’re not just enhancing your own mental health; you're also contributing to a culture that values emotional wellness.

Therefore, let’s all commit to fostering environments and communities where discussing and supporting mental health is not only normalized but encouraged.

Anxiety Awareness

Anxiety is a natural response to stress or perceived danger, often described as a feeling of fear, worry, or unease. While occasional anxiety is a normal part of life, persistent or overwhelming anxiety may indicate an anxiety disorder.

According to the World Health Organization (2023), anxiety disorders are the world’s most common mental disorders, affecting 301 million people in 2019, with more women being affected than men.

It can affect both the mind and body, causing symptoms like racing thoughts, restlessness, rapid heartbeat, difficulty concentrating, trouble sleeping, or even physical discomfort such as sweating, trembling, or shaking.

Even though there are several different kinds of anxiety disorders, it is possible to have multiple anxiety disorders simultaneously. These include:

1. Generalized Anxiety Disorder: Persistent, excessive worry about daily events.
2. Panic Disorder: Recurring panic attacks and fear of future attacks.
3. Social Anxiety Disorder: Intense fear of social situations due to potential embarrassment or rejection.
4. Agoraphobia: Extreme fear and avoidance of situations that may induce panic or feelings of being trapped.
5. Separation Anxiety Disorder: Excessive worry about being separated from loved ones.
6. Specific Phobias: Intense, irrational fears of specific objects or situations that cause distress.
7. Selective Mutism: Inability to speak in certain social settings, usually affecting children.

Managing anxiety involves a mix of strategies, including:

1. Practicing mindfulness or meditation
2. Engaging in regular physical activity
3. Talking to a trusted friend, therapist, or counselor
4. Establishing a healthy routine with adequate sleep and balanced nutrition
5. Challenging negative thought patterns with grounding techniques

Remember: You’re not alone, and help is available. Taking small, consistent steps can lead to big changes in how you feel.

Depression Awareness

Depression, also known as Major Depressive Disorder (MDD), is a common and serious mental health disorder that affects how an individual feels, thinks, and acts.

According to the World Health Organization, approximately 280 million people in the world have depression.

Depression symptoms vary for each person and can range from mild to severe. Some common symptoms are :
- Sad, anxious, or an empty mood feeling.
- Loss of interest or pleasure in activities or hobbies that were once enjoyable.
- Changes in appetite.
- Weight gain or loss
- Fatigue or feeling low in energy
- Thoughts of suicide or death.
- Poor concentration
- Disrupted sleep

Depression can cause difficulties in all areas of life, including at home, work, school, and in the community.

Some treatments are effective for depression. Such as :

- Psychotherapy: includes Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Interpersonal Therapy (IPT), Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT)
- Medications: Antidepressants.
- Lifestyle changes: Exercising regularly, getting enough sleep, healthy diet.

Remember, you are not alone, and it is important if you or someone you know is struggling with depression. Help is available.

Together, let’s support one another and reduce the stigma around mental health.

Sources:

World Health Organization. Mental Health. World Health Organization, 2023, https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/mental-health-strengthening-our-response.

World Health Organization. Depression and Other Common Mental Disorders: Global Health Estimates. WHO, 2017, https://apps.who.int/iris/handle/10665/254610.

National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI). “Mental Health Awareness Month.” NAMI, 2024, https://www.nami.org/get-involved/awareness-events/mental-health-awareness-month/.

Mental Health America. “Mental Health Month 2025 Toolkit.” Mental Health America, 2025, https://mhanational.org/mental-health-month.

American Psychological Association. “Anxiety.” APA Dictionary of Psychology, https://dictionary.apa.org/anxiety.