Mental Illness Awareness Week and World Mental Health Day
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.
World Mental Health Day
October 10, NAMI invites you to be part of a global conversation to raise awareness and advocate for mental health care worldwide. This day brings our community together to break the silence around mental health. It’s our moment to share stories, advocate for change, and ensure quality mental health care reaches everyone.
Get Your Community Connected With NAMI
The NAMI Alliance, partners, and advocates play a key role in fostering connection, amplifying advocacy, and breaking down barriers to support. Finding ways to authentically connect and build community is where change happens, and hope takes root.
This MIAW and beyond, we encourage you to engage with your communities and raise awareness about mental health by highlighting NAMI programs that build community connections and provide help and support to those who need it most.
- NAMI Sharing Hope – Participate in conversations and programs that provide encouragement and connection for individuals and families in the Black/African ancestry community.
- NAMI Compartiendo Esperanza – NAMI’s Spanish-language program providing safe spaces, and culturally relevant support and resources for Latino communities.
- NAMI’s Support Groups – Peer-led groups offering emotional support, shared experiences, and coping strategies for individuals living with mental health conditions, and their loved ones.
- NAMI Community Health Equity Alliance – Advances mental health equity by uniting community-based organizations, thought leaders, and NAMI’s local affiliates to improve care for Black/African ancestry adults living with serious mental illness.
- Seize the Awkward – A national campaign driven by the belief that young people have the power to support their friends and build stronger, more supportive communities through open mental health conversations, developed with the Ad Council and the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention.
Join the Conversation on Social Media
To help you get the conversation started, we’ve created sample captions and graphics for your social media feeds. Throughout this week, and beyond, we invite you to share these messages or create your own about how finding community breaks silence, build connections, and create stronger, more compassionate communities that care.
Platforms
Weekly/daily activations will be taking place on NAMI’s social media channels. Follow NAMI to tune in, repost, retweet, and share: Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, Threads, TikTok, X, YouTube
Hashtag
#MIAW | nami.org/MIAW
We’ve created sample social media captions and graphics you can use during Mental Illness Awareness Week (MIAW), October 5–11, and World Mental Health Day (WMHD), October 10.
Sample Social Media Captions
💚 Mental Illness Awareness Week is here! This year’s theme is Community: Supporting Mental Well-Being Together. We’re stronger when we lift each other up.
Join @NAMI and communities across the country in raising awareness, fighting stigma, and building support. Learn more + take action: nami.org/MIAW
Mental health journeys are better together. This #MIAW, find your people in the NAMI community. First time joining? There’s space for you. Tag someone who needs connection too.
When we work together to build a community, one voice becomes many. Many voices become a movement. Join us this #MIAW. #NAMI
Mental health matters every day. 💙 But during #MIAW, we come together to raise awareness, support one another, and build stronger communities.
💙 This #MIAW, join @NAMI in supporting mental health + building stronger communities. Learn more: nami.org/MIAW
World Mental Health Day (Oct 10)
🌍 Today is #WorldMentalHealthDay. Mental health is a human right — everyone deserves care, support, and community.
Join NAMI this #WorldMentalHealthDay in the global movement to create stronger, more compassionate communities. Learn more: nami.org/MIAW
Social Media Graphics and Templates
In need of help or support?
You are not alone! If you or someone you know are struggling with mental health, the NAMI HelpLine is here for you. Connect for free with a NAMI HelpLine specialist or a Teen & Young Adult HelpLine specialist today.
Available Monday Through Friday, 10 A.M. – 10 P.M. ET
NAMI HelpLine
Call 1-800-950-NAMI (6264), text “NAMI” to 62640 or email us at helpline@nami.org. Get help at nami.org/help.
NAMI Teen and Young Adult HelpLine
Call 1-800-950-NAMI (6264), text “Friend” to 62640 or email us at helpline@nami.org. Talk to us at nami.org/talktous.
