Mental Health as a Continuum: Focus for Mental Health Awareness Month
Key staff: Jessica Watts, Senior Program Manager
May is Mental Health Awareness Month, and this year’s theme acknowledges that mental health isn’t a fixed state—it’s a continuum. Through radio and billboards, as well as toolkits and SWAG items provided to counties, this year CalMHSA’s statewide Take Action campaign invites all Californians to reflect on where they are—and to meet themselves with care and understanding. Featured materials and resources for counties include:
Toolkit Materials
- Ollie the Octopus Plushie: Ollie represents qualities that reflect the heart of this year’s campaign: intelligence, adaptability, emotional depth, and resilience.
- Hygiene Kit: Includes essentials like soap, shampoo, and toothpaste—practical support for tough days and a reminder that physical care supports mental health.
- Bucket Hat: These branded hats are a simple way to “show up” for mental health.
- Aluminum Water Bottle: A reusable bottle with the campaign logo serves as a functional way to keep the campaign’s message close at hand.
- Stickers: Vibrant, affirming stickers with phrases like “Doing my best” and “I am enough.”
Toolkit Resources
- Guided Meditation Recipe Cards (General and Student Versions): Pocket-sized and easy to use, these cards offer simple mindfulness techniques like breathing and grounding exercises.
- The Continuum of You: A fold-out booklet featuring the Mental Health Continuum Wheel to help individuals reflect on how they’re feeling, alongside journaling prompts and tips for small, supportive actions.
- Mindful Moments Journal: A guided journal with space for writing, drawing, and reflection.
Take Action LA
For the third year, CalMHSA is supporting the Los Angeles County Department of Mental Health with its countywide Mental Health Awareness Month campaign, Take Action LA. Through its month of activities, LADMH will reach millions of community members with diverse events and messages that promote wellness while sharing information about the department’s vast resources and services. Initiatives include:
- Eight area-specific events held at community college campuses and one countywide event
- Grants to 66 CBOs focused on supporting community engagement in mental health. They will host 97 additional events in more than 20 languages to reflect and serve the county’s diverse populations.
- Social impact partnerships with the Lakers, Dodgers, Sparks, and LAFC — including mental health “title” games with Dodgers and the Sparks, and a half-time feature with LAFC.
- A countywide media campaign
May 12, 2025