Nearly 44 million American adults, and millions of children, experience mental health conditions each year, including depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, and post-traumatic stress. Although we have made progress expanding mental health coverage and elevating the conversation about mental health, too many people still do not get the help they need. Our Nation is founded on the belief that we must look out for one another — and whether it affects our family members, friends, co-workers, or those unknown to us — we do a service for each other when we reach out and help those struggling with mental health issues. This month, we renew our commitment to ridding our society of the stigma associated with mental illness, encourage those living with mental health conditions to get the help they need, and reaffirm our pledge to ensure those who need help have access to the support, acceptance, and resources they deserve.

Read the President's Proclamation >>

Rebecca's Dream has teamed up with Highland Park businesses that promote a healthy lifestyle with a Rebecca's Dream Wellness Card. The wellness card offers free and substantially discounted classes, drinks, food, and services throughout May.

The transition from middle-school to high school can be difficult for teens. There's no field guide to this transition, and every child experiences the process differently. What's normal? What's not? When should you seek help? How can parents help their kids succeed?

Parents of middle-school aged children can find answers to these questions at a free, panel discussion — Teens and Transitions — Tuesday, May 10th at 7:00 p.m. in the Highland Park High School Auditorium, 433 Vine Ave., Highland Park, Ill., 60035.

The panel will address issues kids encounter as they transition to high school including social and educational challenges, academic expectations and support, drinking, drugs and meds, triggers and signs of stress and depression, when to seek help, and resources available in our community for helping kids cope.

Click here for more information and to RSVP.

Other Mental Health Awareness Month Activities:

May 2: Movie
Based on a true story starring Mark Ruffalo, is hospitalized after a manic breakdown. He becomes primary caregiver for his daughters and finds himself in over his head. Viewing and discussion of movie at the Highland Park Library at 7:00pm. Click here for more information and to RSVP.

May 10: Yoga and Meditation Class
Open to current 8th grade and HPHS students, at HPHS at 7:00pm. Bring your friends. Click here for more information and to RSVP.

May 23: "Middle Years"
A discussion for parents on helping middle schoolers navigate their social and academic lives. At Edgewood Middle School at 1:00pm. Click here for more information and to RSVP.

Rebecca's Dream "promotes awareness and compassionate understanding of depression and bipolar disorder as real diseases."

Write: It may help to write about things that are bothering you. Write for 10 to 15 minutes a day about stressful events and how they made you feel. Or think about starting a stress journal. This helps you find out what is causing your stress and how much stress you feel. After you know, you can find better ways to cope.

Read: Welcome to the Jungle: Everything You Ever Wanted to Know about Bipolar but Were Too Freaked Out to Ask by author Hilary T. Smith. Bipolar is currently the most commonly diagnosed emotional and psychiatric condition, and diagnosis tends to come when one is in one's late teens or early 20s.

Contemplate: "You treat a disease, you win, you lose. You treat a person, I guarantee you, you'll win, no matter what the outcome." -- Robin Williams

Catch up on the latest news headlines about mental health, bipolar disorder and depression in the Rebecca's Dream newsroom.

Help us by making a gift to promote awareness and compassionate understanding of depression and bipolar disorder as real diseases.

Listen to  "Dealing with Failed Expectations" podcast to explore the difficulties in handling failed personal expectations