make yourself heard

Taking care of mental health is just as important as physical health, especially during these challenging times. Now more than ever, we need to raise our voices about the critical need for more mental health education.

While we know there is help and hope for those who face mental health challenges, far too many of us keep our mental health challenges to ourselves.

It’s time to end mental health stigma. It’s time to share more of our stories and raise our voices. It’s time to #FreeYourMe.

Starting on World Mental Health Day (Sunday, October 10), you will see posts of public figures sharing their Free Your Me experiences. Join us in eradicating stigma and ensuring the youth get the mental health education and support they need by taking the Free Your Me challenge.

FREE YOUR ME AIMS TO:

• End mental health stigma

• Educate the public about how mental health impacts us all, and support more mental health education for youth

• Empower people to share their stories

• Encourage those faced with mental health challenges to get the help they need

How can you #FreeYourMe?

JOIN THE CAMPAIGN

• Like, comment on and share #FreeYourMe posts that resonate with you on your social media accounts. Let’s fill our social media feeds with inspiring posts about mental health!

• Share your own #FreeYourMe posts. Share your own story or your personal thoughts on why it is so critically important to end stigma and provide more mental health education, with posts on social media or share by using this form [link]. Go ahead: let it out! Reveal how mental health has impacted your life and what has helped you. What mental health challenges do you face or have you faced in the past? Are you living with a mental health condition? Do you have a loved one living with a mental health condition? Who has helped you in your recovery?

• Thank (and tag!) those who have helped support your mental health.

MORE FREE YOUR ME ACTIONS

• Share our resources:

  • Know the Warning Signs: It can be challenging to tell the difference between expected behaviors and potential signs of a mental health condition. Learn about common warning signs in adults and youth.

  • How to Talk About Mental Health: How we talk about mental health can make a huge difference in helping those impacted feel supported and to inspire them to talk about it and get the help they need. Learn how to talk about mental health.

  • How Parents Can Help Youth: It can be extremely difficult when your child experiences mental health symptoms, but there is hope. Learn about steps you can take to help.

  • Taking Care of Your Mental Health: Mental health is as important as physical health. Learn about actions you can take to take care of yourself.

• Request an Ending the Silence presentation at your school in the Westside Los Angeles area.

• Become a NAMI WLA advocate! Special $5 Free Your Me membership to support our mental health education programs.