The Defense Health Agency recognizes Mental Health Awareness Month 2023 throughout the month of May. MHAM is an annual themed event that raises awareness and educates the public on various mental health issues, including access to care, whether clinical or outside of the clinical environment.

Message for Communicators

Key messages:

Social media graphics and posts

Please download and share these graphics and suggested social media content on your own social media channels to join the conversation about Mental Health Awareness Month.

To download high resolution versions of the graphics, click on the image below, then click the “open” button on the page that opens. Then you can right click on the image and select “save image as” and you will have the best quality version to use on your own channel.


May is Mental Health Awareness Month #DefendYourMentalHealth

Suggested social media post: May is Mental Health Awareness Month. Protecting, optimizing and defending our mental health is essential to our well-being and the readiness of our military force. #DefendYourMH www.health.mil/mentalhealth


Mental health care is health care.  May is Mental Health Awareness Month #DefendYourMentalHealth

Suggested social media post: Mental health care is health care. Make mental health advocacy part of your healthcare routine and don’t wait until you’re in crisis to get help. #DefendYourMH https://health.mil/PHCoE


Reaching out is a sign of strength.  May is Mental Health Awareness Month #DefendYourMentalHealth

Suggested social media post: MHS providers are used to giving their all. Suppliers need help like everyone else. Reaching out is a sign of strength. #DefendYourMH https://health.mil/Burnout


Language is a powerful tool in the fight against mental health stigma.  May is Mental Health Awareness Month #DefendYourMentalHealth

Suggested social media post: Language is a powerful tool in the fight against mental health stigma. The words we choose to describe mental disorders have a real impact on people struggling with these conditions #DefendYourMH https://health.mil/MentalHealthStigma


You don't have to go it alone.  It's good to ask for help.  May is Mental Health Awareness Month #DefendYourMentalHealth

Suggested social media post: No matter what you’re up against, you don’t have to go it alone. It’s good to ask for help. #DefendYourMH www.health.mil/mentalhealth


Alternatives to stigmatizing language.  May is Mental Health Awareness Month #DefendYourMentalHealth

Suggested social media post: The language we have used to describe mental disorders and substance use disorders has likely contributed to their stigmatization. This blog from the Clinician’s Corner of @PHCoE describes new measures being taken to combat these effects. #DefendYourMH https://health.mil/MentalHealthStigma


May is Mental Health Awareness Month #DefendYourMentalHealth

Suggested social media post: What can you do to defend your sanity? Protect and optimize. Here is information and advice to help you improve and maintain your psychological strength. #DefendYourMH https://health.mil/PHCoE