May is Mental Health Awareness Month, which gives us a much-needed reminder to reflect on our relationship with mental health, the persistent stigma surrounding it, and the continued need for compassionate, accessible support.
Mental health issues are more common than we often admit, yet too many people suffer in silence. Anxiety, depression, burnout, trauma, and grief are not signs of weakness or failure. They are part of the human experience.
This year, as spring turns into summer, I want to offer a gentle invitation to use the coming months to prioritize your mental health. As a psychologist who specializes in treating athletes with eating disorders, I work with many high-achieving teens, college students, and young adults. During the academic year they are typically optimizing every hour to pursue excellence, whether in school, sport, work, or other commitments. That gets tricky when they run into mental health challenges. They often recognize the signs of burnout and distress, but feel unable to justify taking time away from a packed schedule for regular therapy.
Something I often pose to the athletes I work with is this: if you had a physical injury, would you take time off from school or practice to attend medical or physical therapy appointments? Almost every time, the answer is yes. From there, I help reframe mental health challenges as a form of mental injury, one that deserves just as much care and support as any physical issue. I also understand that this is not always logistically feasible, and as a former Division I athlete myself, I get it.
Which is why I extend this invitation. Use the flexibility of summer to tune in, slow down, and prioritize your mental well-being. I encourage you to reflect and ask yourself: What do I need this summer? What am I avoiding? Where do I need support?
Together we can build better habits that set you up for success in the fall, both in your performance and in your overall well-being. That might mean making time for rest, rekindling joy, or finally addressing the issues that have been on the back burner all year.
Mental Health Awareness Month is not just about awareness, it is about action. And summer is your chance to pause, recalibrate, and heal. If you are feeling overwhelmed, anxious, burned out, or simply unsure of your next step, know that you are not alone. You are human. You are doing your best. And support is always within reach.