May is Mental Health Month

Last month, we explored mental health and self-care with the changing season, exploring different ways of adjusting your routine to potentially improve your well-being.  With reported rates of depression and anxiety still rising, some find that self-care routines alone do not always address mental health distress.  We’re going to ask you now to once again check on how you feel physically. Where do you feel stress in your body?  Are you feeling unusually tired? Experiencing frequent headaches? Has your appetite changed in the last few weeks? Are you finding it difficult to concentrate at work or home? Are your thoughts more pessimistic than usual, or are you often feeling down about yourself?  If you find you are saying yes to one or several of these questions regularly, or if you are supporting a loved one facing similar feelings, you may benefit from learning more about local and national mental health education and support networks and services. Listed below are some recommended resources to check out:

 

• The National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) celebrates Mental Health Awareness Month  every year with educational materials, advocacy opportunities, and downloadable toolkits.
• NAMI Massachusetts maintains an extensive database of resources for individuals seeking mental health support.
• The Anxiety and Depression Association of America offers education about various mental health disorders and guidance on how to seek treatment.
• The Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance provides free, anonymous, and confidential online support groups for individuals facing depression, bipolar disorder, anxiety, and more. Support groups for friends and families are also available.
• The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration offers a resource and educational page for mental health awareness month in 2025.  
• The Boston Public Library offers an excellent page with links to books on mental health, therapy cards as a self-care tool, and more.
• The State of Massachusetts also offers a comprehensive list of mental health resources at both the city and state level. Linked here are several more Boston area mental health and social services resources for further local support
• The National Suicide Prevention Hotline (988) provides free, 24/7 phone support to anyone in crisis, as well as prevention and support hotlines for friends and family. The number is 988 on any phone, or you can call 1-800-273-8255.
• Right Direction is an initiative focused on recognizing and addressing depression in the workplace; their website hosts a curated list of mental health resources.

If you're seeking longer-term therapy, you can start by contacting your insurance provider for a list of in-network therapists. Additionally, you may want to explore these online directories:

• Psychology Today Boston Therapists List
• The Black Mental Health Alliance
• Zencare LGBT Therapists in Boston Area
• InnoPsych
• MBHP Provider Search Directory (masshealth only)

As always, city employees, retirees, and their families can reach out to the EAP for free confidential counseling and referrals to local long term mental health services.  We also encourage you to browse our resource list for more.  From all of us, have a warm and restful month.