May Is Mental Health Awareness Month: Depression, Prevalence & Stigma
- Kathy Morelli
- May 9, 2017
- 3 min read
Updated: Feb 20
May is Mental Health Awareness Month.
And yet, for something that affects so many people, it can still feel strangely invisible.
According to the World Health Organization, depression is one of the leading causes of disability worldwide. Just a few decades ago, it ranked much lower. The rise is not because people are weaker—it’s because we are finally measuring and naming what has always been there.
Former WHO Director-General Margaret Chan called these statistics “a wake-up call” for countries to rethink how they approach mental health and to treat it with urgency.
And still… stigma lingers.
The Quiet Weight of Stigma
Mental illness carries a double burden: the symptoms themselves and the shame that can surround them.
Research by Corrigan and colleagues (2010) found that public stereotypes often portray individuals with mental illness as low-functioning or incapable. Observers may feel uneasiness or fear rather than compassion. Over time, those stereotypes can be internalized, creating self-stigma—an invisible layer of suffering that keeps people silent.
Stigma doesn’t just silence individuals — it also affects how families respond to mood changes after birth. Postpartum depression often hides behind guilt and self-criticism.
Pause for a moment.
What feelings arise when you hear the words mental illness?
For many people, even today, there is hesitation. Distance. Discomfort.
That’s stigma at work.
Awareness Months: Why So Quiet?
May – Mental Health Awareness Month
October – Depression Awareness Month
October 10 – World Mental Health Day (sponsored by the World Health Organization)
May (since 2011) – Maternal Depression Awareness Month, designated by Postpartum Support International
We all know the pink ribbon for breast cancer. Fewer people can identify the green ribbon for mental health.
This isn’t about comparing illnesses. It’s about visibility.
Depression affects millions of individuals and families. It shapes workplaces, schools, partnerships, and parenting journeys. bIn the perinatal period especially, untreated depression can quietly alter a mother’s sense of self and connection.
And yet, many people still whisper about it.
Why This Matters
Depression is not a character flaw.It is not laziness.It is not a lack of gratitude.It is not weakness.
It is a health condition—shaped by biology, stress, trauma, environment, and life transitions.
Mental health is consistently ignored as an important aspect of overall health.
It is a health condition—shaped by biology, stress, trauma, environment, and life transitions.
When we reduce stigma, we increase the likelihood that someone will:
Seek therapy
Talk to a physician
Confide in a friend
Begin medication if needed
Practice self-compassion instead of self-criticism
Awareness is not just symbolic. It can be life-saving.
The Black Dog
Here’s a great short video from the WHO about how being depressed can affect your life. The story moves from being ashamed of depression, trying to deny depression, then moving towards acceptance and reaching out for help and towards life lessons.
A Gentle Invitation
If you are reading this and quietly struggling, you are not alone.
If someone you love seems withdrawn or overwhelmed, reach out.
A simple message—“I’ve been thinking about you.”“How are you really doing?”“I’m here.”
That can be the beginning of healing.
Mental health deserves the same openness, funding, and compassion as any other aspect of health.
This month—and every month—let’s speak about it out loud.
If this topic resonates with you, you may also want to explore resources on maternal depression, postpartum mood disorders, and mind–body approaches to emotional healing.
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