Mental Health Action Day

The April Parker Foundation and Futures First is hosting We Out Side, a one-day outdoor wellness festival on May 15, 2025, for Mental Health Action Day. This activation will provide young people in Long Beach and surrounding communities with an opportunity to reconnect with nature, movement, and peer support to enhance mental well-being.

Research shows that spending time outdoors, engaging in physical activity, and fostering social connections significantly improves mental health by reducing stress, anxiety, and depression. This event will create an immersive outdoor experience that encourages youth to A.S.K. (Acknowledge, Support, Keep-in-Touch) through interactive activities designed to promote self-awareness, emotional regulation, and connection.

On Mental Health Action Day, Charley Bear Productions is proud to release UNIMAGINABLE, a powerful short documentary spotlighting three diverse teens who turn to art to navigate the mental health challenges of the pandemic. Premiered at the Oscar-qualifying St. Louis International Film Festival, this uplifting film reveals how creativity became a lifeline for young people facing unprecedented uncertainty and isolation. UNIMAGINABLE offers hope and fresh insight into the resilience of today’s youth.

The City of Richmond is hosting a “Lunch on the Lawn” and providing a space that honors and elevates mental wellness. They will do this by providing a tool to express feelings (journals), and are creating a SafePlace to create a self-care action plan.

COR, Inc. is excited to launch a school-wide Mental Health campaign leading up to Mental Health in Action Day (May 15th!) for students and staff to gain awareness of the ASKivation strategy – Acknowledge, Support, and Keep-in-touch, followed by a series of Mental Health and Wellness events in and around our high school. Additionally, COR staff will lead mental health training for teachers to encourage trauma-informed educational practices in every classroom.

DeeDee’s Cry will host a Community Wellness Walk and Mental Health Fair to promote the A.S.K. (Acknowledge, Support, Keep-in-Touch) framework for Mental Health Action Day. The event will bring together young people, community members, and mental health professionals to foster conversations on mental well-being, engage in wellness activities, and access vital resources for suicide prevention.

The Detroit Pistons are hosting a Mental Health Awareness Night with Henry Ford Health, Headversity, Active Minds and MTV.

The Equity Project Foundatio and More Than A Shop are bringing Baltimore’s youth and young adults together for an unforgettable day of mindfulness, healing, and empowerment! This high-energy, interactive summit will feature mental health activations, dynamic workshops, live panel discussions, one-on-one licensed counseling, entertainment, games, giveaways, and a vibrant vendor fair packed with resources.

Groundswell is proud to announce a mural project focused on raising awareness about mental health. In collaboration with a talented teaching artist, participants will have the opportunity to contribute their creative ideas through sketching and design, ensuring their voices are reflected in the final artwork. This collaborative piece will culminate in a vibrant Community Paint Day event at the end of the month, bringing participants together to celebrate the power of art and community in fostering mental health awareness.

The Malone Family Foundation will proudly host the 3rd Annual Black & Gold Breaking the Mold as part of Mental Health Awareness Month and MTV’s worldwide Mental Health Action Day in May. The two-day event will be highlighted by an open conversation about mental health with Ryan Malone and NHL guests during the Black & Gold Gala on Wednesday, May 14. Special guests will include Veteran + First Responder heroes from Western Pennsylvania, as well as local celebrities. Black & Gold Breaking the Mold will continue with the Hero & Celebrity Hockey Game the following day on Thursday, May 15. Those playing in the game will include current + former NHL players, members of our Veteran and First Responder communities, local celebrities, and mental health advocates. The game will shine a light on the healing power of hockey and our need to take positive action daily on our mental health journeys. Prior to the game, a family friendly Mental Health Rally, will share mental wellness resources with our community. Additionally, the celebrities in attendance will make a special appearance to connect with our growing community of mental health advocates.

NYC Mayor’s Office of Community Mental Health is launching a city-wide campaign where City Hall and other government buildings and landmarks will be lit green. Everyone is encouraged to wear green and post selfies/stories on socials with #NYCforMentalHealth. NYC Mayor Adams is scheduled to participate along with invitations to commissioners and executive directors across different NYC government agencies and offices.

Nonprofit counseling agency Queer LifeSpace will host a month-long series of events in honor of Mental Health Action Day, celebrating the healing power of art, creative expression, and accessible mental health care for LGBTQIA+ communities. Highlights include a guided Castro art walk on Friday, May 2nd; body image and emotional wellness workshops on May 15th, paired with a guest speaker panel of mental health experts; and a virtual art exhibition debuting at Queer LifeSpace’s annual gala on Friday, May 30th. Free mental health toolkits and community resources will be distributed throughout the series.

The Rian Ryelee Foundation will host a transformative event aimed at raising mental health awareness and fostering a sense of community in the 313. This event will feature engaging panel discussions, hands-on wellness activities, and resources to help attendees acknowledge mental health, offer support, and stay connected. Participants will enjoy Motown City Soul Food, receive in-person chair massages, and have access to grief rooms for those who may experience loss or trauma. Additionally, attendees will participate in a “Painting with a Twist” art therapy session focused on communication and peer support, while accessing valuable mental health resources from local providers and organizations.

Salud is committed to healing the culture by normalizing mental health, breaking the stigma and creating spaces where open conversations are not just welcomed, but celebrated through community in Chicago. Recognizing that many Chicago neighborhoods may lack accessible resources, Salud will center local licensed professionals, therapists, healers, community and youth organizers to bridge culture and mental health through engagement, education, and empowerment. Which is why Salud is excited to promote wellness through social and culturally relevant mental health activations. Attendees will enjoy vibrant live music, food, refreshments, and resources to continue the conversation in ways that work for us. “Cheers, Salud” to mental health and healing the culture together.

Join (S)heSpeaksSolutions for a transformative day dedicated to mental health awareness and healing through alternative modalities. This event will bring together students, community members, and mental health professionals to explore diverse wellness practices and resources aimed at nurturing mental well-being.

The Strong Mind Strong Body Foundation and its Youth Community Journalism Institute, in partnership with the Masonic Institute for the Developing Brain, Carmen Robles and Associates LLC, and Conversaciones de Salud, will connect youth and families from underserved Twin Cities communities with brain researchers, mental health experts, and medical professionals for a festival of food, music, goodie bags, retro video games, community newspapering, mental health support, and community empowerment. This event kicks off Brain Health Solutions for All, a year-long initiative to expand access to actionable mental health education and resources where they are needed most.

The Evoluer House will host a fun two-part interactive day of mental wellness and emotional rejuvenation for teen girls in the Greater Philadelphia region. A virtual workshop will feature topics on how teen girls can recognize signs of mental illness, how they can help a friend, and how they can take charge of their own mental health. The teen girls will learn what support and resources are available. They also will have access to health guides and time for questions and answers. Our local attendees will enjoy a yoga class, nutritious food for the soul and an inspiring dream journal.

The New York Foundling’s Home of Integrated Behavioral Health will host a Community Day of Mental Health Action focused on increasing awareness of and access to the critical services we provide to children, young people, and families in East Harlem and neighboring communities. Attendees can enjoy raffle giveaways, delicious snacks, art activities, wellness events, and an open door to The Foundling’s wide-ranging services.

The Unbreakable Organization, in collaboration with passionate young leaders, is bringing together peers from across the region for an initiative centered on connection, growth, and empowerment. South Florida’s youth community will have the opportunity to participate in hands-on self-care activities such as gratitude journaling, intention-setting, and bracelet-making, alongside guided discussions led by local mental health experts. These sessions aim to equip attendees with practical tools to support their own mental health while fostering empathy and acceptance among peers. In addition, members of The Unbreakable Organization’s Youth Advisory Board will be launching pop-up events on their campuses and within their communities, continuing to spread the mission of mental wellness, belonging, and peer support.

Yancey Outreach International is excited to bring Mental Health Action Day to the community on May 15, 2025, and beyond! They will host mental health outreach events focused on healing, resilience, and empowerment for both youth and adults. Attendees can engage in inspiring discussions, interactive wellness activities, and access essential mental health and recovery services. Plus, enjoy free self-care kits, delicious food, and community connection. Let’s break the stigma, build resilience, and create a healthier, stronger community—together! Visit www.yanceyoutreach.org for details.