Mental Health Awareness Month: Let’s Talk, Heal, and Rise Up Together

Dr. Shakeena Speller
May 15
3 min read

Each May, we honor Mental Health Awareness Month — a time to raise awareness, break stigma, and encourage healing. Mental health affects how we think, feel, and act every single day. And yet, too many people suffer in silence.

At Rise Up Counseling & Consulting, we believe that mental wellness matters just as much as physical health. Therapy is not just for moments of crisis—it’s a powerful tool for self-discovery, growth, and healing.

Why Mental Health Matters

Mental health challenges can show up in many ways: persistent anxiety, sadness, overwhelm, burnout, trauma, or even difficulty concentrating. You are not alone if you’ve felt any of these. 1 in 5 adults in the U.S. experiences mental illness each year (NAMI, 2024). That’s millions of people quietly navigating difficult emotions, often without support.

Taking care of your mental health is not a luxury — it’s essential.

Breaking the Stigma

In many communities, especially Black and Brown communities, mental health is often misunderstood or minimized. There’s a myth that therapy is only for people who are “broken” or “weak.”

Let’s be clear: Seeking therapy is a courageous and empowered choice.

Therapy is a safe space to be heard, to process your emotions, and to learn tools that help you thrive, not just survive.

What Therapy Can Do for You

At Rise Up Counseling & Consulting, we specialize in helping individuals manage:

Anxiety and depression
Trauma
Self-esteem and identity challenges
Life transitions and burnout
Co-occurring substance use and mental health struggles

Our approach is compassionate, culturally sensitive, and evidence-based. Whether you're navigating everyday stressors or working through deeper emotional wounds, we’re here to support you every step of the way.

Real Talk: Therapy is for Everyone

Just like we go to the doctor for physical check-ups, therapy is a check-in for your mind and soul. You don’t have to wait until things fall apart. Therapy is for:

The overworked mom who feels like she’s losing herself
The entrepreneur balancing success and self-doubt
The woman healing from past trauma while trying to hold it all together
Anyone ready to break generational patterns and rise up

Ready to Begin Your Healing Journey?

This Mental Health Awareness Month, we challenge you to prioritize your healing. Book a session, try a support group, talk to a friend, journal your feelings, and take the first step.

Rise Up Counseling & Consulting offers virtual sessions in North Carolina and South Carolina, making therapy accessible from the comfort of your home.

Let this be the month you choose yourself.

Let’s Connect

Visit us at www.riseupcounseling.org

Your mental health matters — every single day. Let Mental Health Awareness Month serve as a reminder that healing is possible, support is available, and you are never alone in your journey. Let’s continue to break barriers, embrace growth, and rise up together.

Helpful Resources

1. The CBT Workbook for Mental Health

📘 Recommended after “What Therapy Can Do for You”

Looking for strategies to manage stress, anxiety, or low mood? Try The CBT Workbook for Mental Health – with practical, evidence-based exercises to help you shift negative thinking patterns and build emotional resilience.

2. Trauma Recovery Journal

📝 Recommended after “Ready to Begin Your Healing Journey?”

Would you prefer to start your healing journey privately?The Trauma Recovery Journal is a gentle guide through self-reflection, helping you unpack emotions, build awareness, and foster healing at your own pace.

3. Self-Love Workbook for Women

💗 Suggested placement in the “Real Talk: Therapy is for Everyone” section

Struggling to reconnect with yourself? The Self-Love Workbook for Women offers affirmations, journal prompts, and empowering exercises to help you rebuild confidence and embrace who you are—flaws and all.

4. Mindfulness for Beginners (Book + Audio Guide)

🧘🏽‍♀️ Add under “Mental Health Matters” or as a sidebar section on the blog

Want to feel more grounded and present in your everyday life? Mindfulness for Beginners is a perfect starting point for those new to mindfulness. Includes a bonus audio guide!