May 1 begins Mental Health Awareness Month; this is a time to think more about our mental health journeys. Mental Health Awareness Month was established in 1949 to increase awareness about the importance of mental health in the lives of people living all across the United States.

Mental health can mean many different things to lots of different people: for some, it may be about getting in regular physical activity to help one’s mind stay relaxed and calm; for others, it may be about doing meditation or journaling regularly; and for others, it may be about spending quality time with loved ones and creating space to pursue activities you love. 

Mental Health Awareness Month can also be a time to gain more knowledge about what mental health even means to you. Whether you’re interested in finding out more about various mental health conditions and illnesses that people live with daily or searching for resources to help you on your mental health journey, the importance of taking care of mental health cannot be emphasized enough.

If you’re interested in exploring more about mental health, check out the Health topic on the Free Library’s website, where you can access numerous links and resources, find book lists, scroll through electronic resources, view upcoming events, and read blog articles.

Additionally, there will be many events coming up, where you can find activities that can help you on your mental health journey. Some of these events include yoga for people of all ages and skill sets, including chair yoga, storytime yoga, teen yoga, and yoga for families. Find a yoga session happening at a neighborhood library near you!

You can also attend mindfulness-focused events aimed at helping people practice relaxation techniques, stretching, and breathing. Another way to deepen your exploration of your mental health journey is to learn more about food. If that resonates with you, check out the Culinary Literacy Center and find an upcoming class that excites you.

Perhaps you’d like to celebrate Mental Health Awareness Month by focusing on the books and resources available at the Free Library. If that’s you, know that you can always browse for print, audio, or digital books on the Free Library’s catalog. You can also listen to previous Author Events podcasts where authors who’ve written books focused on health have discussed their ideas at the Free Library; scroll to the bottom of the Health topic page to find these particular podcast episodes. Additionally, if you’re interested in attending a health-related Author Event this month, be sure to check out Camille Dungy's event on her book Soil: The Story of a Black Mother’s Garden on Monday, May 1, or Linda Villarosa's talk about her book Under the Skin: The Hidden Toll of Racism on American Lives and the Health of Our Nation on Monday, May 15 — both events will be free and held at the Parkway Central Library at 7:30 p.m.

These are a few ways to join in on the commemoration of Mental Health Awareness Month with the Free Library. However feels the best for you, check out the numerous programs and resources available to all patrons!