May is Mental Health Awareness Month, recognized since 1949 to reduce stigma, educate the public, and provide support for mental health conditions. The 2026 campaign focuses on community support and well-being, often using green ribbons to symbolize awareness. Get involved by sharing stories, wearing green, and utilizing resources from the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) or the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA).

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The Knicks may have swept the Hawks, but the real story was happening off the court. Before Game 6, Knicks center Mitchell Robinson posted on Facebook that he was "lost in the world at the moment" and that his mental health "just not the same" — a heartbreaking public cry for help that foreshadowed his ejection after a physical altercation with Atlanta's Dyson Daniels later that night. This serves as a reminder that even the strongest, tallest people in the room can be silently struggling, and reaching out for help, even on Facebook, is always the right move.

Read More: Knicks Mitchell Robinson Reveals Mental Health Breakdown After Hawks Fight (Heavy)

The National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) is the largest grassroots mental health organization in the U.S., dedicated to improving lives through education, support, advocacy and public awareness. NAMI provides free, peer-led programs, support groups (like NAMI Connection), and a HelpLine to help individuals and families navigate mental health conditions.

Read More: National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) | NAMI Helpline: 800-950-6264 or text “NAMI” to 62640.

A new military doctrine is taking shape — the Department of Defense is funding two studies in which 186 active-duty soldiers with PTSD will undergo multiple sessions of MDMA-assisted therapy, with a new group of DoD and VA therapists beginning training in psychedelic-assisted therapy ahead of soldier enrollment. This matters because traditional PTSD treatments have dismally low success rates for veterans — in some reports, only 1 in 3 recover using conventional approaches.

Read More: Active-Duty US Soldiers to Receive MDMA Therapy For PTSD Next Year (The Guardian)

Panic pouches — anxiety bags or calm-down kits filled with sensory tools like essential oils, cold packs, sour candy, and fidget toys are trending among Gen Z as a way to manage panic attacks and anxiety on the go — and experts are calling the idea "genius."

With 61% of young adults reporting a diagnosed anxiety condition and 43% experiencing panic attacks monthly, it's no wonder people are looking for quick, accessible relief tools that work when traditional coping strategies fall short.

Read More: What Are ‘Panic Pouches’ and Can They Really Help With Anxiety? (EveryDay Health)

MYTH: You can see if someone has a mental health issue.

FACT: You can’t tell someone has a mental health issue just by looking at them. People with mental illness look just the same as everyone else.

The Mental Minute is your #1 source for the latest mental health news, tips, key resources and product reviews. Our goal is to make mental health an everyday conversation.

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Thanks, and Be Well.

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