Over the last few years, as a way to recognize May being Mental Health Month within the United States, we’ve created statements that we feel are non-negotiable or Black and White. And while the world today looks very different than it did back when we began this campaign in 2018, we’ve seen the power that arises when stories are shared and hope shows just how indestructible it truly is.

So in honor of 2022 marking the fifth year of this campaign, we wanted to revisit some of our favorite statements.

Hope Is Defiant

Globally, we endured a pandemic that most of us never anticipated. We learned to adjust our idea of normalcy, shift plans, and become comfortable with being uncomfortable. And despite all that has happened since 2018, hope has remained. It has, at times, felt loud in its refusal to move and, in other moments, has served as a flicker of light in the deep darkness. But through it all, we’ve seen just how powerful holding hope can be. Hope speaks every language, it believes fully in tomorrow and knows at its core that better things are coming, that they are around the corner and all we need to do is hold on.

Finding and Creating Hope

• Connect with others’ mental health stories. Read them on the TWLOHA Blog; listen to them on the TWLOHA Podcast; download The Hopeful app to carry them with you and bookmark your favorites.
• Share your own story. Whether you write it down for yourself, share it with a trusted friend, or post it on social media, telling your story can help you and others hold on to hope.

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It’s Okay To Ask For Help

This was true in 2019. And it’s true today. In fact, it’s always been true. Hope in its defiance can oftentimes provide us with the strength to keep going, but that does not mean we have to endure anything alone. Pain and hardship can often lead to isolation and we know that people need other people. We want you to remember that you deserve to ask those around you for support no matter what you may be feeling. There is strength in letting people in, not weakness. And it’s with this strength that we can find the resiliency to continue living.

Accessing the Help You Need and Deserve

• Find the right self-care tools for you. We have a few ideas to get you started on our Self-Care page, including using The Hopeful app to track your mood and journal.
• Search for help. Our FIND HELP Tool supports you in locating free and reduced-cost mental health services accessible in your area, as well as virtually.

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We Need You Here

And when we say “you” we mean you in this exact moment. Even if that looks like you crying on the floor. You, exactly as you are, are worthy of love, support, and hope. So yes, we need you, not some future “perfect” version or some idealized image. But the person who exists right now—because that person is already enough. Please hear us when we say these words once again: When you feel convinced that you are not wanted or too broken to be cared for, know that you are not only welcome here, but you are needed.

Make a Plan to Stay and Continue Your Story

• Create or update your Self-Care + Safety Plan. You can use this template to collect names + contact information for people to reach out to in tough moments.
• Name the things that help you keep going. For us, those things look like sunsets, warm drinks, the mountains, laughing with loved ones, the pitter-patter of a pet’s paws, snowglobes, the first scoop of ice cream in summer, and that perfect road trip playlist.

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And as the month of May continues, be on the lookout for new content and conversations across Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, and TikTok! We couldn’t do this work without you and we are so glad you’re here.

With Hope,
TWLOHA

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