May 2024

“We would never tell someone with a broken leg that they should stop wallowing and get it together. We don’t consider taking medication for an ear infection something to be ashamed of. We shouldn’t treat mental health conditions any differently.”

— Michelle Obama

Since 1949, May has been designated Mental Health Month. The theme for 2024 is “Where to Start: Mental Health in a Changing World.” It emphasizes the importance of seeking help and feeling supported in dealing with life's pressures. 

Mental health is a broad term encompassing emotional, psychological, and social well-being. It affects behavior, perception, and reasoning, and can dramatically alter one’s ability to work, cope, and deal with the daily stresses of life. Some early signs related to mental health challenges are sleep disturbances, lack of energy, lack of appetite, thinking of harming oneself or others, self-isolating, and frequently “zoning out.” 

According to the U.S. Surgeon General, mental health challenges are the leading cause of disability and poor quality of life in youth. Statistically, since the COVID-19 Pandemic, America has seen significant increases in certain mental health disorders in young people, including depression, anxiety, and suicidal ideation. 

As a society, we’re beginning to understand and accept the relationship between mental and physical health and promoting a culture of “whole health,” including body and mind. In doing so, we’re changing the way we view mental health and promoting equality between mental and physical health. Now, we’re talking about “health concerns” rather than “mental health concerns” to normalize conversations and remove barriers. 

A toolkit for addressing and supporting mental health, issued yearly by Mental Health America, provides a wealth of educational information, fact sheets, definitions, and guides for use in understanding and addressing mental health. It’s important to know that help is available immediately by calling or texting 988 or chatting at 988lifeline.org.

Here are a few resources we find meaningful this month:

For those who spent the morning of April 16 with us, you had the opportunity to learn from Jenné Fromm, gifted coach, speaker, and expert in life lessons. “Being Your Best During the Worst” was a workshop focused on understanding how your personal values guide your actions, decisions, and ultimately, your best life. 

When were you at your best? What have you said “no” to? What would you do if you knew you could not fail? These were questions Fromm presented to encourage self-examination, exploration, actions, and goals. Woven into stories about her experiences, she shared her own approach to facing tough things – curveballs – in order to grow. 

“There is no inspiration, no lesson, no life altering reward in playing safe,” she coached, “A life of meaning isn’t born from standing still and playing to your strengths. It’s birthed from taking chances and leaping into places you’re afraid to go.” 

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Celebrate 35 years of the Chrysalis Effect! Throughout the year Chrysalis is celebrating people like you who have been champions for our work. We hope you’ll join us for an upcoming event! https://www.chrysalisfdn.org/35th-anniversary/