5 Things You Can Do on World Mental Health Day

1 in 5 U.S. adults experience mental illness each year. Here are 5 things you can do today to make a difference.

• Check in on someone you know who has struggled with mental health in the past. Reaching out to ask how someone is doing can be a small act with big impact.
• Educate yourself with information on mental health conditions and the warning signs of mental illness.
• Stop using — and call out — stigmatizing language. “She’s crazy.” “That’s mental.” “He’s such a nut case.” “Don’t be so OCD.” To someone who has struggled with mental health, words like these can sting.
• Be an advocate for change by signing a letter to your representative in support of a Congressional bill to designate a 3-digit number for suicide prevention and mental health crisis. Also sign up to find out about other actions you can take from NAMI California and NAMI National.
• Tell us why you care about improving mental health awareness and services:

Bonus actions to take:

• Students, parents, teachers: Request a free Ending the Silence presentation at a Westside Los Angeles middle or high school.
• Become a NAMI member!