The First Week of October is Mental Illness Awareness Week

Since 1990, Americans have marked the first full week of October as a time to raise understanding, reduce stigma, and remind one another that caring for our mental health is never something to fear.

Just like airlines remind us to put on our own oxygen mask first, tending to your emotional well-being allows you to better support the people you love. Bringing concerns into the light — speaking them out loud, or sharing them with a trusted friend or therapist — makes them far less scary or taboo.

As you reflect this week, try asking yourself:

• Have I felt persistently sad, anxious, or irritable lately?

• Am I having trouble sleeping, eating, or focusing?

• Do I feel disconnected from others or from things I used to enjoy?

• Have I experienced overwhelming stress or big life changes that feel hard to manage on my own?

Answering “yes” to any of these doesn’t mean something is “wrong” with you — it simply means you deserve support. Even without a history of depression, anxiety, or other conditions, our mental health can shift with life’s seasons. A short-term check-in with a counselor can be just as valuable as long-term care.

At Grace Therapy Collective, we believe therapy should always be a positive, enriching experience. Whether you’re working through challenges or supporting someone you love, we’re here to offer hope, reassurance, and practical tools so you can grow in resilience and confidence.