Mental Health Awareness Month aims to reduce the stigma surrounding mental health diagnoses and treatments by encouraging folks to speak more openly about their mental health journeys. According to the National Alliance on Mental Illness, 1 in 5 U.S. Adults experience mental illness each year, but only half of them receive treatment. All of us can play a part in learning how to understand and support one another more effectively. After all, our brains are a very important part of our overall health!
If you or someone you love is living with a mental health diagnosis that brings you extra challenges, know that your library is here to provide you with information about your diagnosis and your local support options.
Please check out these materials and events honoring Mental Health Awareness Month.
Library Events
- Using Anxiety to Thrive with Dr. David H. Rosmarin – Join this online author talk on Tuesday, May 7, 2025, from 11:00 AM to 12:00 PM with Dr. David H. Rosmarin, author of Thriving with Anxiety. Learn how anxiety can be used as a source of strength through strategies that increase self-compassion and emotional resilience. Registration is required.
- Creating Memory Kits & Understanding Alzheimer's and Dementia – Join this hands-on workshop at the Lake Stevens Library on Monday, May 12, 2025, from 5:30 PM to 7:00 PM to learn how to create personalized memory care kits that support individuals with Alzheimer's and dementia. The session includes practical guidance, information about the stages of Alzheimer's, and available resources. Registration is required.
- Healthy Sleep – Join this informative session at the Marysville Library on Tuesday, May 13, 2025, from 3:00 PM to 4:00 PM to learn about the importance of quality rest and how it impacts your overall health. Discover practical strategies to improve sleep habits, manage stress, and create a restful environment. Registration is recommended but not required.
- Read to Joe the Therapy Dog – Join us at the Freeland Library on Wednesday, May 14, 2025, from 3:30 PM to 4:30 PM for a special reading session with Joe, the therapy dog. Children can build confidence and improve their reading skills by reading aloud to a friendly, non-judgmental listener. No registration required.
- Mindful Reflection Through Art – Join this guided creative workshop at the Camano Island Library on Wednesday, May 28, 2025, from 4:00 PM to 6:00 PM to explore personal healing through a unique combination of visual art and writing. Participants will engage in expressive exercises designed to navigate and release emotions. Registration is required.
Snohomish County Events
- Free In-Person Mental Health Counseling – Stop by the Edmonds Waterfront Center on Tuesday, May 6, 2025, from 8:15 AM to 12:15 PM for free, drop-in mental health counseling sessions. Available to Snohomish County residents aged 60 and over, these sessions offer short-term support for emotional well-being. No registration required.
- IMALIVE Mental Health Fair – Join this interactive and educational fair at Everett Community College on Tuesday, May 6, 2025, from 12:00 PM to 3:00 PM to raise awareness about mental health and suicide prevention. The event features engaging activities and resources aimed at promoting mental well-being among students and the community. No registration required.
- Free In-Person Mental Health Counseling – Stop by the Carl Gipson Center on Thursday, May 8, 2025, from 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM for free, drop-in mental health counseling sessions. Available to Snohomish County residents aged 60 and over, these sessions offer short-term support for emotional well-being. No registration required.
Island County Events
- Community Cares Health & Wellness Festival – Join this free, family-friendly festival in Historic Downtown Oak Harbor on Saturday, May 17, 2025, from 11:00 AM to 4:00 PM to explore health and wellness resources. The event features wellness experts, vendors, activities, music, performances, and food. Highlights include a Wellness Walk, "Treasure Your Health" hunt, and a special talk by teen mental health advocate Taanvi Arekapudi. No registration required.
Other Community Events
- NAMIWalks Washington – Join this 5K walk at Magnuson Park in Seattle on Saturday, May 31, 2025, from 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM to support mental health awareness and advocacy. Registration opens at 8:00 AM. The event is free and open to all. Registration is required.
- Washington State Mental Health Summit – Join this hybrid event on Tuesday, May 13, 2025, from 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM, held at the Husky Union Building (HUB) at the University of Washington in Seattle and streaming online. The summit brings together mental health stakeholders to develop, share, and advance innovative ideas and collaborations aimed at improving mental health and addiction services across Washington State. Registration is required.
Suggested Titles
But What Will People Say?: Navigating Mental Health, Identity, Love, And Family Between Cultures - In this critically important title, Sahaj Kohli Kaur shares her experience as an American immigrant in the mental healthcare field, tackling the complex issues surrounding culturally stigmatized understandings or therapy or mental health treatments overall.
(Don't) Call Me Crazy - To understand mental health, we need to talk openly about it. This collection explores a wide range of topics, from the authors' personal experiences with mental illness and understanding how our brains are wired, to exploring the do's and don'ts of talking about mental health.
It's OK Not to Be OK - This book is a fantastic introduction to mental health conversations with young people. It explores common mental health disorders such as depression, eating disorders and anxiety in a non-judgmental tone that encourages readers to understand that the described differences in our brains are unique for everyone.
Learn More
Issues That Matter: Wellness in Uncertainty
Recorded Jan. 14, 2021
Watch as behavioral health specialists talk about how to identify warning signs in yourself and loved ones, and share information about available resources.
Get Help
- If you or someone you know is having a rough time and needs immediate help, call or text 988, or chat 988lifeline.org. Or view our list of local support hotlines, organizations and other mental health resources for teens and adults.
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NAMI Snohomish and Island Counties – NAMI Snohomish and Island Counties provides free support groups, classes, and resources for individuals and families affected by mental illness. Services include peer-led programs, mental health education, and community presentations that promote awareness, connection, and resilience.
