Commit today to take the pledge
Each year, millions of Americans face the reality of living with a mental illness. During May, many mental health organizations join the national movement to raise awareness about mental health. Each year, these organizations fight against stigma, provide support, educate the public and advocate for policies that support people with mental illness and their families.
When Mental Health America (MHA) started Mental Health Awareness Month in 1949, they did so to communicate the importance of mental health to overall health. Their insights about the factors that lead to mental health for all — including embracing diversity, equity and inclusion in all we do — have grown since then.

Together, we can realize our shared vision of a nation where anyone affected by mental illness can get the appropriate support and quality of care to live healthy, fulfilling lives — a nation where no one feels alone in their struggle.
In November 2020, the CDC reported that 44 percent of us were dealing with either depression or anxiety. While historically data shows us that 1 in 5 adults will experience a mental health problem — these days it certainly feels like it’s 5 in 5. Mental health is essential to everyone’s overall health and wellbeing, and mental illnesses are common and treatable.
Consider the following facts and factors which can provide a positive impact on your mental health and for your loved ones:
• While 1 in 5 people will experience a mental illness during their lifetime, everyone faces challenges in life that can impact their mental health.
• The COVID-19 pandemic has had profound impacts on the mental health of people of all ages, and now more than ever it is critical to reduce the stigma around mental health struggles that commonly prevents individuals from seeking help.
• There are practical education tools that everyone can use to improve their mental health knowledge and increase resiliency, regardless of the situations they are dealing with. The one common language that this article commonly refers to is “be nice.” Take the pledge to be educated at benice.org.
• It’s important to accept the situations in life that we cannot change, actively work to process the mental struggles associated with big changes, manage anger and frustration, recognize when trauma may be affecting your mental health, challenge negative thinking patterns, and make time to take care of yourself.
• Knowing when to turn to friends, family and co-workers when you are struggling with life’s challenges can help improve your mental health.
• One way to check in with yourself is to take a mental health screen at MHAscreening.org. It’s a quick, free and private way for someone to assess their mental health and recognize signs of mental health problems.
• Living a healthy lifestyle and incorporating mental health tools to thrive may not be easy but can be achieved by gradually making small changes and building on those successes.
• Seeking professional help when self-help efforts to improve your mental health aren’t working is a sign of strength, not weakness.
This past year presented so many different challenges and obstacles that tested our strength and resiliency. The global pandemic forced us to cope with situations we never even imagined, and a lot of us struggled with our mental health as a result. The good news is that there are tools and resources available that can support the wellbeing of individuals and communities. Now, more than ever, we need to combat the stigma surrounding mental health concerns.
Taking on any new challenge requires education. Through education we build confidence in our ability to understand. And through confidence we are driven to take action. During May, let’s challenge each of our family members, co-workers, church members and our community to not only observe National Mental Health Awareness Month but to dig in and commit to be educated on this epidemic.
The time is now! Start now by taking the pledge at benice.org. Come on, Holland/Zeeland! We can do this. Let’s make one small commitment during this nationally recognized month of May. Investing only 12 minutes from our lives during May will equip each of us with perhaps the easiest four-step action plan to help improve and potentially save a life from mental illness. Schools, make a commitment! Businesses, make a commitment! Faith communities, make the commitment!
Be nice. Mental illness is treatable. Suicide is preventable.
— Community Columnist Jeff Elhart is Playground Director II of the Elhart Automotive Campus in Holland. For more information, contact [email protected].