You Are Not Alone

May is Mental Health Month—a time to pause, reflect, and speak openly about emotional well-being, resilience, and care. Mental health affects all of us: our families, students, colleagues, and communities. This month invites compassion, connection, and action.

Why Mental Health Month Matters

Mental health is health. Just as we care for our bodies, we must care for our minds. Awareness reduces stigma, encourages early support, and helps people feel seen and heard—especially during life’s most challenging seasons.

Mental Health Month is about:

• Normalizing conversations about stress, anxiety, depression, and burnout
• Reaffirming that help is a strength—not a weakness
• Expanding access to tools, resources, and supportive relationships

A Gentle Reminder

It’s okay to not be okay. It’s okay to ask for help. And it’s okay to take things one step at a time.
If today feels heavy, you are not failing—you are human.

Small Actions That Make a Big Difference

You don’t need a perfect plan to support mental health. Start small:

• Check in with a friend, coworker, or student—listen without judgment
• Pause and breathe—even 2 minutes can reset your nervous system
• Set boundaries that protect your energy and time
• Move your body gently—a walk, stretch, or mindful breath
• Limit negative self-talk—speak to yourself as you would a loved one

Supporting Mental Health at Work, School, and Home

Mental well-being thrives in environments rooted in empathy and psychological safety.

​Leaders & Educators can:

• Encourage open dialogue and flexibility
• Model healthy boundaries and self-care
• Normalize mental health days and support services

Families & Friends can:

• Create safe spaces for honest conversations
• Validate feelings rather than minimize them
• Help connect loved ones to professional support when needed

If You or Someone You Know Needs Support
Help is available—24/7.

• United States: 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline (Call or Text 988)
• Crisis Text Line: Text HOME to 741741
• If you are outside the U.S.: Visit your local health authority or emergency services

If there is immediate danger, please call 911 or your local emergency number.

​Let’s Keep the Conversation Going
​
Mental Health Month does not end in May—but May is a powerful place to start.
Together, we can:

• Replace stigma with understanding
• Silence with conversation
• Isolation with community

💚 Your mental health matters. Today and every day.
​

​Access Center
Call for 24/7 Mental Health Support

• 1-800-300-0628
• Request a Call Back

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• RWJBH Behavioral Health

​Behavioral and Mental Health Resources – Adults

• Agape Counseling Addiction Services
• Bright Harbor Resource Guide
• High Focus Treatment Centers – Mental Health
• Life Excel, LLC
• Mental Health America
• Mental Health Services in Ocean County
• Rutgers University, Hamilton Lab​
• SAMHSA – Resource center

​1. 🟢 Green Ribbon — The most widely recognized symbol

​Best overall representation

• Green is the international color of mental health awareness
• The green ribbon is used across the U.S., Canada, UK, and globally
• Represents:
  • Mental health awareness
  • Recovery
  • Support
  • Ending stigma

Why it works

• Simple, nonclinical, and inclusive
• Works well for workplaces, schools, nonprofits, and social media
• Immediately recognizable during Mental Health Awareness Month (May)

✅ If you need one symbol that “just works,” choose the green ribbon.

2. 🧩 The Puzzle Piece — Connection, complexity, and understanding
Meaning

• Mental health is complex and multifaceted
• Each person’s story matters
• Emphasizes understanding rather than judgment

Use with caution

• Still commonly used in mental health contexts
• However, it has mixed associations in autism advocacy, so clarity of intent matters

✅ Best when paired with inclusive language, not used alone

3. 💚 The Green Heart — Compassion and care

Meaning

• Emotional well-being
• Empathy
• Human-centered support

Why people like it

• Less clinical
• More relational and warm
• Works well for educational and community settings

✅ Popular for campaigns, social posts, and student-focused materials

4. 🌱 Growing Tree / Leaves — Growth, healing, resilience

​Meaning

• Mental health as a journey
• Recovery is not linear
• Strength can grow over time

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