Celebrate Mental Health Awareness Month
We want to open the channels of communication on mental health, provide resources and share messages that will help break down the walls of stigma.
Mental Health Awareness Month 2025 Creative Arts Project
Self Care Action Calendar | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Sunday | Monday | Tuesday | Wednesday | Thursday | Friday | Saturday | |
Environmental | Mental | Emotional | Spiritual | Social | Physical | Recreational | |
| May 1-2 | Go for a walk. Learn about the benefits of walking. | Spend time outdoors. Check out activities going on at local parks. | |||||
| May 3-9 | Create a relaxing sleep-friendly bedroom with these four tips. | Mindful listening Listen to guided videos or spend quiet time listening to the sounds around you. Left Brain Buddha: Teaching Mindfulness Through Listening. | Positive Self-Compassion Ask yourself: “Am I speaking to myself the way I would speak to a friend?” How to relate to yourself in a forgiving way. | Mindful listening Listen to guided videos or spend quiet time listening to the sounds around you. Left Brain Buddha: Teaching mindfulness through listening. | Check in on someone that makes you smile (even virtual "friends"). | Stretching helps release tension in muscles, which can reduce stress and anxiety levels. Try these quick stretches. | The "sunshine vitamin" can be absorbed through the skin by spending time in the sun, or taken in supplements. Vitamin D reduces inflammation and regulates mood. |
| May 10-16 | Form good daily habits to take care of your mental health. Benefits of having a routine. | Puzzles and brain games can improve mental function and provide a sense of control. | Look for the good in a situation. Five tips to train yourself to think positively. | 5 Senses Grounding Technique Acknowledge 5 things you see, 4 things you feel, 3 things you hear, 2 things you smell, and 1 thing you taste. YouTube Guide: 5 Senses Grounding | Connect with your community! See what's happening at your local library. | Make movement a habit. Start small, then increase your activity gradually. Put your exercise plan on your calendar, so it's part of your schedule. | Spend time with friends or family. How friendship improves your health. |
| May 17-23 | Practice tidiness to optimize a healthy living space. | Practice forgiveness to heal your brain and body. | Acknowledge when you are not feeling great and accept your emotions without judging them. | Try singing for wellbeing! There are emotional, social, and psychological benefits to singing. | Any act of kindness provides both the giver and the receiver with a sense of well-being and connection. Mental health benefits of simple acts of kindness. | Practice yoga to lower anxiety and stress. Check out this library of free yoga videos! | Listen to music for a sense of wellbeing. |
| May 24-30 | Take the Road to Self-care to lower anxiety and reduce risky driving. | Give yourself credit. Name your strengths. | Positive Affirmations Choose and practice a daily affirmation, such as: "I am likable." Enhance your life with positive psychology. | Attend a religious service or spiritual group. How spirituality helps your mental health. | Give someone a compliment. Create a ripple effect of kind words. | Even small amounts of exercise can help! Five or ten minutes at a time adds up to big benefits! | Make time for a hobby to support your mental wellness. |
| May 31 | Improve your study / work space. How to create a productive study space. | ||||||
May Community Events
May
2
Saturday
Let it Out! Collective Scream & Activities
Feeling stressed? Let it out with stress-busting activities like splatter painting, take a whack at a pinata, and get some vocal tips for how to scream without hurting your vocal cords before gathering outside for a great big collective scream!
This program will be held outside, weather permitting. Please plan accordingly. You are welcome to bring your own blanket or chair to enjoy this program.
Brooklyn Park Library
1 E 11th Ave, Baltimore, MD 21225
2 p.m. - 3 p.m.
May
4
Monday
Take some time out to destress, and give yourself permission to rest and relax! Participate in some simple art activities, watch some ASMR videos, or simply chill and hangout with friends.
Maryland City at Russett Libraryl - Community Meeting Room
3501 Russett Common, Laurel, MD 20724
5 p.m. - 7 p.m.
May
6
Wednesday
Caregiver Educational Workshop
The Dementia Live Experience
Pre-registration by phone is required for this workshop (410) 222-4375/4339. This workshop is a high impact, dementia simulation experience that immerses participants into life with dementia, resulting in a deeper understanding of what it is like to live with cognitive impairment and sensory change. Space is limited at each session.
Anne Arundel County Department Of Aging And Disabilities
7320 Ritchie Hwy, Glen Burnie, MD 21061
6 p.m. - 7 p.m.
May
7
Thursday
Studying for finals is stressful, so take a brain break at the library! Enjoy calming activities, relaxing vibes, and cuddle with a friendly therapy pup to de-stress from the end of the school year. Programs that involve interaction with animals require a signed Animal Waiver Form.
Edgewater Library
25 Stepneys Ln, Edgewater, MD 21037
4 p.m. - 5 p.m.
May
7
Thursday
Caregiver Educational Workshop
End of Life Care and Decisions Tammy Turner, Founder & President of the Board of Directors of Care Prepared Michelle Henderson, Manager, Community Partnerships, Hospice of the Chesapeake
In the first part of this evening's workshop, Ms. Turner will discuss how creating an advanced healthcare plan can empower individuals to take charge of their future healthcare and improve their quality of life. She will also discuss the similarities and differences between a Maryland Advance Directive form and the Maryland Order for Life Sustaining Treatment (MOLST) form. This is an important discussion for family caregivers as well as for all of us as we decide how we want to live out our lives. During the second half of this workshop, Ms. Henderson will share the role that hospice care can plan in supporting families during the final stages of life. Understanding the comprehensive nature of hospice can inform better planning and ease the emotional burdens often associated during this time.
Edgewater Library
25 Stepneys Ln, Edgewater, MD 21037
6 p.m. - 7 p.m.
May
9
Saturday
Annual Mental Health Awareness Family Fun Day!
Co-hosted by the Anne Arundel County Local Behavioral Health Authority and Severn Elementary School.
Severn Elementary School
838 Reece Rd, Severn, MD 21144
10 a.m. - 2 p.m.
May
9
Saturday
Mental Health Journaling Crafternoon
Journaling can be a great way to express yourself and relieve stress, but there's no one right way to do it! Explore the possibilities by decorating your own journal and getting tips on different journaling techniques.
Glen Burnie Library
1010 East Way, Glen Burnie, MD 21060
2 p.m. - 3:30 p.m.
May
13
Wednesday
Caregiver Support Group Meeting
- Feeling less lonely, isolated or judged.
- Gaining a sense of empowerment and control.
- Improving your coping skills.
- Reducing distress, depression or anxiety and having lower rates of clinical depression.
- Developing a clearer understanding of what to expect with your situation.
- Getting practical advice or information about treatment options.
- Improving your caregiving ability and giving better quality of life for the care recipient.
- Helping you keep your loved one at home longer.
This meeting is also held virtually. Please contact caregiver_support@aacounty.org for the date, time, and Zoom link. Anyone needing special accommodations must contact Mary Chaput at (410) 222-4339 or by e-mail at agchap01@aacounty.org at least seven days in advance of the event. TTY users, please call via Maryland Relay 7-1-1.
Virual via Zoom
1 p.m. - 2:30 p.m.
May
15
Friday
Could you use a few moments to stretch, de-stress and just breathe? Join us for a Teens Only Mindful Movement and short meditation. We have the yoga mats and refreshing drinks, just bring yourself and an open mind.
Michael E. Busch Annapolis Library
1410 West St, Annapolis, MD 21401
4 p.m. - 4:45 p.m.
May
16
Saturday
Women's Wellness Resource Fair
Join us at Discoveries to connect with local resources that support the mental and physical wellness of all women and nonbinary people. This event is a part of the Women's Wellness Day.
Discoveries: The Library at the Mall
2550 Annapolis Mall Rd, Annapolis, MD 21401
10 a.m. - 2 p.m.
May
16
Saturday
Boundaries that Build Better Relationships
In this interactive session, participants will explore what boundaries are, why they matter, and how to communicate them in real-life situations. We’ll address common challenges like feeling guilty, overexplaining, or fearing conflict, and explore how both the absence of boundaries, and the presence of healthy ones, can impact relationships either creating stress and disconnection or fostering clarity, respect, and stronger connections. Facilitated by Maria Winters, LCPC, NCC
Discoveries: The Library at the Mall
2550 Annapolis Mall Rd, Annapolis, MD 21401
3 p.m. - 4 p.m.
May
20
Wednesday
Do you like doing the Wobble or the Cupid Shuffle? Come learn some other beginner soul line dances and discover a fun, low impact physical activity! This program requires the completion of a Release and Waiver form.
Discoveries: The Library at the Mall
2550 Annapolis Mall Rd, Annapolis, MD 21401
6 p.m. - 7 p.m.
Additional Resources
