Mental Illness Awareness Week

Dear Client,

Every year during the first full week of October, we recognize Mental Illness Awareness Week—a time to shine a light on the realities of living with mental health conditions, to reduce stigma, and to remind each other that no one is alone in their struggles.

But awareness isn’t just about facts and statistics. It’s also about honoring the real people behind the labels. It’s about you.

If you’re living with anxiety, depression, bipolar disorder, PTSD, OCD, or any other mental illness—you may know what it’s like to carry something that others can’t see. You may have experienced judgment, misunderstanding, or even silence from people who don’t quite get it. And yet, you continue to show up. That’s strength. That’s resilience.

Mental illness does not define who you are—it’s something you’re navigating, not your identity. But it deserves acknowledgment, support, and care just like any physical illness would. Your pain is real. Your experiences are valid. And your healing matters.

In therapy, we create space where masks can come off. Where you're not expected to "be okay" when you’re not. Where your story is held with compassion, not judgment. You don’t have to be perfect to be worthy of support. You don’t have to be cured to be respected.

Mental Illness Awareness Week is also a reminder that:

• Seeking help is a sign of strength, not weakness.

• You are not a burden.

• There is no shame in struggling.

• Recovery is possible—and it looks different for everyone.

If this week brings up emotion, reflection, or even a sense of relief that your experience is finally being seen—honor that. Let it be a reminder that you are part of a larger community of people who understand what it means to live with, and fight for, mental wellness.

With care and solidarity,
HMHCC