Mental Health Awareness Month
Mental Health Awareness Month was established to increase awareness of the importance of mental health and wellness in Americans’ lives and to celebrate recovery from mental illness.
Description and History
Mental Health Awareness Month was established in 1949 to increase awareness of the importance of mental health and wellness in Americans’ lives and to celebrate recovery from mental illness. Originally established by Mental Health America (MHA), Mental Health Awareness Month is represented by a green ribbon, symbolizing hope, strength, and support. More Good Days, Together is 2026’s theme. MHA encourages everyone to reflect on what a good day means for them, advocate for others, and support those around them.
Professional Learning Resources
Mindfulness and Self-care: Library Resources to Support Students and Faculty
Ashley J. Cooksey shares actionable tips to take the first steps to create a school library that is inclusive and mindful of all learners, including those struggling with self-identification, mental disorders (including depression and anxiety).
How to get Started with Mindfulness
School librarian Ashley Cooksey writes about starting a mindfulness practice.
Put on *Your* Oxygen Mask First
This session reviews the research related to teacher and school librarian burnout. Presenters share tried-and-true methods to respond to the challenge of teacher burnout and help arm school librarians with the knowledge and skills to grow and thrive.
Take Care of Yourself First
School librarian Brandi Hartsell writes about the importance of taking care of yourself first.
Mental Health Month 2026
Mental Health America created this 2026 Mental Health Month toolkit with tools, social media resources, templates, and printables.
Mental Health
SchoolSafety.gov has advice for making schools safer by improving access to mental health resources.
2026 Mental Health Awareness Month Toolkit
The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration has created a toolkit with social media to spread awareness, best practices for engaging in discussions, and promotional materials.
Digital Toolkit for Mental Health Awareness Month
The National Institute of Mental Health has curated social media sharables to raise awareness about mental health.
Graphics and Shareables for Mental Health Month
Mental Health America has created graphics and sharables for Mental Health Month. Categories include calendar posts, coping tips, and other information for sharing across social media.
How School Libraries Support Student Wellbeing
Explores how school libraries support student wellbeing by operating as safe spaces for young people, promoting and resourcing mental health and well-being initiatives, supporting and promoting bibliotherapeutic practices and reading for pleasure.
Learner Engagement Resources
Mental Health Month
The Mental Health America website has great resources to help you plan activities and improve your mental well-being. The site includes learning opportunities and outreach ideas.
Cosmic Kids Zen Den | Mindfulness For Kids 💡
This playlist from Zen Den includes great mindfulness videos for learners.
School Libraries and a Natural Connection with Mental Health
In this KQ blog post, 2023-2024 AASL President Courtney Pentland shares ways school librarians across the country are striving to make their library spaces more inclusive, more welcoming, and more engaging.
2026 Mental Health Month Action Guide
Online activities, articles, printable tools, journal prompts, and affirmations abound in this resource kit from Mental Health America.
School Libraries are essential 'third spaces'
A personal essay by a college student about the importance of community building and socialization and how her high school library gave her a sense of belonging.
Book Lists
77 Children’s Books About Mental Health
This list includes books from PK - 12 years old about mental health issues. They are categorized by different mental health topics
14 Kid-Approved Middle Grade Books That Tackle Mental Health
These middle grades books are popular titles that will help middle grade students learn about mental health awareness.
YA Fiction & Mental Health Awareness
This list of 50 YA books about mental health awareness is provided by the Boston Public Library. A wide variety of mostly fiction titles are included on this list.
Books for Mental Health Awareness Month – MacKids School & Library
This 2025 list of picture books, middle grade books, teen books, and adult crossover books mindfully deal with tough topics like mental health, self-care, and processing big emotions.
Promotional Resources
Canva Images to Share
How are you nurturing mental health awareness this month? 🤔 Your school library offers a safe space and helpful resources. Come explore! #MentalHealthAwarenessMonth #LibrarySupport #SelfCare #AASL
