It’s Okay to Not Be Okay: Why Mental Health Awareness Matters

May 3

May is Mental Health Awareness Month, a time to shine a light on a topic that too often stays in the dark, especially in faith communities. As a mental health therapist, Christian woman, and advocate for healing, I believe it’s time we boldly say:
💬 “Yes, I love Jesus and yes, I need therapy too.”

💚 Why Mental Health Awareness Month Matters

Millions of people suffer silently every day, struggling with anxiety, depression, trauma, or burnout, yet feel ashamed to speak up. Why? Because stigma says:

“You just need to pray more.”
“Christians shouldn’t struggle like that.”
“You’re too strong to feel this way.”

But here’s the truth: mental health struggles are not a sign of weakness or a lack of faith. They’re a sign that you’re human, and you deserve care, compassion, and support. Just like we care for our bodies, we must also care for our minds and emotions.

💡 What You Can Do to Break the Stigma

Here are simple but powerful ways you can be part of the change:

Start the conversation – Talk about therapy, stress, and emotions openly in your circles.
Share your story – Vulnerability breaks silence. Your honesty can free someone else.
Educate yourself – Learn the signs of mental health conditions and how to respond.
Support others – Check in on your friends. Offer empathy, not advice.
Pray AND refer – Be someone who believes in the power of prayer and professional help.

📍When to Seek Therapy

Knowing when to seek help is just as important as knowing it's okay to need it. You may benefit from therapy if:

✅ You’re constantly overwhelmed, anxious, or hopeless
✅ You’ve experienced trauma, grief, or major life changes
✅ Your relationships are suffering due to mood or behavior shifts
✅ You’re dealing with church hurt, spiritual confusion, or burnout
✅ You just want a safe space to process and grow

Reminder: You don’t have to be in crisis to go to therapy. Healing doesn’t wait until things fall apart.

🆓 Free Mental Health Resources

To make support more accessible, here are a few free or low-cost resources to explore:

Open Path Collective – Affordable sessions with licensed professionals
NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Illness) – nami.org for education, support groups, and hotlines
988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline – Call or text 988 for 24/7 emotional support
Faithful Counseling – Christian therapy online

Mental Health Awareness Month isn’t just about awareness, it’s about action. It’s a call to get honest, get help, and give grace, to ourselves and to others. If you’re reading this and struggling silently, please know:

💛 You are not alone. You are not broken. And help is holy.

This blog is a space where healing meets honesty, and where Jesus holds our hand through every emotion we’re brave enough to face.

Let’s keep the conversation going. Drop a comment, share this post, or check out the resources above.

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