Mental Health Month, May 2018 - Reflections from Our Speakers
23 Apr 2018
May marks the beginning of Mental Health Month, a time dedicated to fighting stigma, educating the public and offering support to those struggling with mental health issues. "If we develop coping mechanisms before the crisis hits—approaching our mental health as seriously and curiously as we approach our physical health—all of us will be more prepared when, not if, we encounter a mental health challenge.”-Sheila Hamilton, Five-Time Emmy Award-Winning Journalist
Read what our other speakers had to say on this important topic:
Tony Hoffman | Former BMX Pro, U.S. Olympic Coach & Recovering Addict
“One of the greatest decisions I've made in my life has been to speak up about my internal mental health sufferings. It made me realize I am not alone and healing is possible.”
David Granirer, RPC, MPCC, M.S.M. | Counselor & Stand-Up Comic
“One of the worst things about having a mental health condition is the shame that goes along with it. But it doesn’t have to be that way. You can help by starting the conversation with someone in your life.”
Mike Veny | Leading Mental Health Speaker & High Energy Drum Circle Facilitator
“Stigma breaks up relationships, ends jobs, destroys families and ruins lives. It serves as a dirty rumor that grows and grows until it’s so big no one really cares if it’s true or not, and it demolishes everything in its path.”
Sean Astin | Actor & Filmmaker
“We are living in a new time, where treatment and wellness are common and the attitude of the general public towards mental health issues is much more accepting. The national conversation about mental health is at a thrilling new moment. The new challenge is to dig deeply, speak firmly, listen closely and embrace the collaboration that the entire mental health community is demonstrating every single day.”
Patrick Kennedy | Former US Representative (RI); Co-Founder, One Mind for Research
“Mental Health Awareness Month is about so much more than education. It’s a time to stand up for the integrated healthcare system we desperately need. A time to demand enforcement of the Federal Parity Law, which requires insurers to cover illnesses of the brain, such as depression and addiction, no more restrictively than how they cover illnesses of the body, such as diabetes and cancer. And most importantly, it is a time to unite in support of mental health equity. We must end discrimination against those with mental health and addiction challenges!”