This week is national Mental Illness Awareness Week. First established by Congress in 1990 in order to raise awareness about mental illness, support better mental health, and fight stigma. Because we know that up to one in five adults experiences a mental health condition annually, it’s a subject about which all of us can benefit from having our awareness raised.

The theme of this year’s Mental Illness Awareness Week (MIAW) is: Building Community: Supporting Mental Well-Being Together.”

To promote this effort, The National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) provides activities and information for interested individuals and communities. Check out the NAMI website for more information.

Mental health affects everyone. While one in five U.S. adults experiences a mental health condition annually, the impact extends to the friends, family, coworkers, and others who support them. Mental health is something we all experience, manage, and need support with. No one should have to face these challenges alone.

Recognizing the need to raise awareness and address mental health challenges, Congress officially established the first full week of October as Mental Illness Awareness Week (MIAW) in 1990, thanks to NAMI’s advocacy. Since then, communities across the country have come together annually to raise awareness, fight stigma, and support mental health.

Join us from October 5–11 as we celebrate community with this year’s theme, “Building Community: Supporting Mental Well-being Together,” underscoring the power of meaningful connections, grassroots advocacy, and local action to strengthen mental health support nationwide.