Gen Z and now Gen Alpha are breaking all kinds of mental health barriers, and we’re living for it! More and more, young people are learning how to identify signs of loneliness in their peers, speaking up about how the pandemic has impacted their mental health, and taking to social media to spread awareness about the unique challenges of their generation. 

This year’s Mental Health Awareness Month theme is Look Around, Look Within, which is all about how our outside environment impacts our inner emotional world. Outside pressures can take a toll on our mental health, from our neighborhood to the people around us, and even large societal issues. Tbh, outside noise impacting our inner peace is not the vibe. So make sure to periodically check in with yourself through meditation, journaling, or even talking things out with a therapist.

We’re loving how NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Illness) is empowering the mental health community through its #MoreThanEnough campaign! They’re lifting others up by emphasizing how everyone is deserving of love, no matter what they are going through. Campaigns like these are stellar examples of how we can not only give ourselves love and compassion through hard times but also extend that kindness to others.

How will you protect your mental wellbeing this Mental Health Awareness Month?!

Let’s Do This!

DoSomething

The way our members have stepped up to take action and spread awareness about mental health just hits different.

Here’s a word from some of our members who are making strides to protect their and their peers' mental wellbeing:

Empathy towards others can start the healing process,” said DoSomething member Palmer W., 20. “As someone who has learned to persevere through my own mental hardships I know it isn’t easy. It is when the people around you make the effort to help. I want to be that person for someone in need.”

DoSomething member Kaylei G., 18 said, “This [campaign] about mental health is important to me because as a teenager I greatly struggled with dealing with and maintaining my mental health. I had a great support system, but it was always hard to talk to the adults around me because I felt like they would judge or not necessarily understand. With this campaign I hope to give children an outlet that is not only the adults around them but also even people they don't know that could possibly help them further their knowledge on their mental help and why it is important.”

“I believe that advocating not only for your mental health but also for the mental health of your peers is extremely important. I want everyone to be at their highest point in their life mentally, physically, emotionally, etc. and if getting your friends and yourself to that point means sticking around even at their lowest point and helping them find that motivation to continue then I am all for it. It is also extremely important to be able to have resources that you can provide your peers so that they know they have other resources to rely on when they need help. Each one of my friends, family members, etc. deserve to have all the support they need during their mental health journey. It sucks to feel lonely and like you have no one to depend on during your mental lows, that is why I believe mental health awareness and resources are important,” said DoSomething member Eilee B., 21

The good news is… After discovering a pristine coral reef near the Galapagos Islands, scientists are reminding people of how marine preservation and conservation efforts are working!

Mental wellness gone viral… If you’ve got that “If I Were A Fish” song from TikTok stuck in your head…same. We love that it’s catching on because of its sweet message about acceptance and overcoming online bullying.

ICYMI… Grist Magazine is still taking submissions for its “Imagine 2200 Climate Fiction for Future Ancestors” writing competition. Show off your writing chops and contribute to thousands of others who are imagining a greener future! 

A big W… Reps Lou Correa, Chris Stewart, and Senator John Kennedy just introduced a bipartisan piece of legislation that could increase access to the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline and Crisis Text Line in an effort to help address suicide amongst teens and young adults. 

CollegeXpress

Who doesn't love reading?! As we gear up for summer, we're thinking of all the fantastic books we want to add to our "must-read" list for long days at the pool or beach. Our friends at CollegeXpress are giving you the opportunity to earn a scholarship...just by sharing your favorite book recommendation! Complete a free profile on CollegeXpress and answer the following to be entered to earn a $1,300 scholarship: What is a good book you'd recommend to a friend for the summer?

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