Happy National Counseling Awareness Month!

Every April, we celebrate Counseling Awareness Month. It is a great opportunity to promote mental health and acknowledge the importance of mental health care practioners. Therapists, social workers, school counselors, substance use counselors, career counselors, crisis center workers – all of these individuals help to make their communities stronger and promote mental health. They play a vital role in helping people navigate life’s challenges, heal, and build healthier futures for themselves.  

Counselors wear many hats. They’re listeners, motivators, mediators, advocates, and educators. They help individuals work through anxiety, depression, grief, substance use, relationship struggles, academic stress, and much more. By shining a light on the work counselors do, we help break down the barriers that often prevent people from seeking help.  

This month is a great opportunity to advocate for policies and programs that support the counseling profession – such as funding for school counseling positions, increased mental health coverage, and better support systems for frontline mental health professionals. 

How to observe counseling awareness month: 

1. Join seminars – Attend seminars where you can hear licensed counselors and mental health care professionals discuss the importance of mental health care.   

2. Visit your counselor – Visit your counselor for a self-check and regular evaluation. Raising awareness for mental health care starts with you looking after your own mental health! 

3. Advocate – Support mental health initiatives in your school, workplace, or local government. Use your platforms to spread awareness about counseling services in your community.  

4. Encourage your friends – Talking about mental health with our friends and family can help reduce the stigma around going to seek mental health counseling.  

References: 

https://nationaltoday.com/counseling-awareness-month/ 

https://www.mdcounseling.org/ - Maryland Counseling Association

https://www.counseling.org/ - American Counseling Association