May is Mental Health Awareness Month.

In recognition of Mental Health Awareness Month in the U.S. and Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA) Mental Health Week in Canada (May 6-12, 2024), DIALOG is joining CMHA and Mental Health America to raise awareness of mental health and wellness and reduce the stigma surrounding mental illness.

This year’s CMHA Mental Health Week theme, #CompassionConnects, is centered on the healing power of compassion, which calls on us to be kind. We all have the capacity for compassion and it’s a known fact that being more compassionate can make a positive impact in our lives and in the lives of others. Giving, receiving, or even observing acts of kindness from those around us is a proven way to support and maintain our own mental health. The act of compassion not only increases feelings of happiness, but also improves emotional resilience and increases trust and connection.

Across our studios this month, we’re hosting events and activities – from a lunch and learn presentation by the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH) to an open conversation on a “Call to be Kind” – that will amplify our collective awareness of mental health.

In support of this year’s Mental Health Awareness Month, we encourage you to visit the Canadian Mental Health Association and Mental Health America websites for more information and resources on how you can advocate for mental health, shift attitudes and perceptions around mental health, and encourage others to practice more compassion, care, and kindness.