Mental Health Awareness Month
May is Mental Health Awareness Month, an annual national awareness month that focuses attention on the importance of caring for our mental well-being, reducing stigma around mental health issues, and promoting seeking help.
At Western we believe mental health IS health, and throughout the month of May, the Office of Health Promotion and Resilience will be offering workshops and promoting events around mental health. We hope you will join us! Please check back frequently for more updates on events, and follow us on Instagram.
Build Skills
Get trained to Be There for a friend or loved one when they are going through a mental health challenge. Take the Be There online training to get skilled up on supporting your community, and get free merch! Once you complete the training (about two hours of your time), you can fill out a form to get a free Mental Health Champ pennant, sticker, and other goodies mailed to you.
Participate in Something That Uplifts Your Mental Health
Look out for our tech-free spaces and events this month, including: the Friend Games (lawn games designed to hang out and make new friends), the De-stress Recess (a stress resilience and harm reduction kindergarten-style play area), and Food for Thought (a workshop for brain and body nourishment where you walk away with a jar of DIY dried soup!).
Learn About Resources
Did you know the Counseling and Wellness Center is still covered by the student health fee and you can get an appointment without any additional costs?! Check out all their great resources: individual, group, and couple's counseling are available.
Nominate a Mental Health Champion!
Students: Want to spread positivity and acknowledge someone at Western for prioritizing and uplifting your mental health and wellbeing? Nominate them as a Mental Health Champ! Each nominee will receive a thank you from the Counseling and Wellness Center, a Mental Health Champ pennant, and some goodies. A few people will be honored with an award at the end of the month. The nomination form takes just two minutes and they are due Wednesday, May 13, 2026.
Crisis Resources
WWU Counseling and Wellness Center
360-650-3164, select option 1 for after-hours support
Text HOME to 741741
988 National Suicide & Crisis Lifeline
Dial 988