Featured Series, Mental Health

Planting Good Seeds: Mental Health Awareness Month

Welcome to our Mental Health Awareness Month series! This May, we’re focusing on how small, intentional actions can grow into powerful mental health benefits.

Why “Planting Good Seeds”?

Just as a garden begins with carefully selected seeds that—with proper care and attention—grow into something beautiful and nourishing…

Our mental health flourishes when we nurture it with small, consistent acts of self-care.

This month, we’ll explore seven areas of life where planting good seeds can transform your mental wellbeing:

Mindset: How shifting thought patterns creates lasting positive change

Nutrition: Foods that truly nourish both body and mind

Fitness: Movement practices that build mental resilience

Relationships: Cultivating connections that support emotional health

Home: Creating spaces that reduce stress and promote peace

Garden: The therapeutic benefits of working with plants

Finances: Building money habits that reduce anxiety

Each week, we’ll provide practical, science-backed strategies you can implement immediately. Small seeds that, over time, can grow into transformative mental health practices.

Why This Matters

Mental health affects every aspect of our lives, yet we often neglect it until we’re in crisis. According to the National Alliance on Mental Illness, 1 in 5 U.S. adults experiences mental illness each year, but the average delay between onset of symptoms and treatment is 11 years.

By focusing on preventative practices and early intervention, we can create stronger mental health foundations for ourselves and our communities.

Important Resources

If you or someone you know is struggling with mental health challenges, these resources provide immediate support:

National Suicide Prevention Lifeline:
988 or 1-800-273-8255 (Available 24/7)

Crisis Text Line:
Text HOME to 741741 (Available 24/7)

SAMHSA’s National Helpline:
1-800-662-4357 (Treatment referral service, available 24/7)

National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) Helpline:
1-800-950-6264 (M-F, 10am-10pm ET)

The Trevor Project (for LGBTQ+ youth):
1-866-488-7386 (Available 24/7)

Join the Conversation

Mental health flourishes in community. Throughout this month, we encourage you to share your own experiences and strategies in the comments. What seeds are you planting for your mental wellbeing? What practices have grown into meaningful support systems in your life?

Next week, we’ll begin our journey with: Cultivating a Growth Mindset The power of adding “yet” to your vocabulary and reframing failures as lessons.

Until then, remember that even the smallest seeds, when planted with intention and care, can grow into something beautiful.

x Corie


Note: This blog is meant to provide general information and support for mental health awareness. It is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of qualified health providers with questions you may have regarding medical conditions.

Support

Understanding Domestic Violence: Signs and Support

Domestic violence is a pattern of behavior in which one partner controls, manipulates, and harms the other partner in an intimate relationship.

This can include:

Physical violence: hitting, pushing, choking, or using weapons

Emotional abuse: threats, name-calling, belittling, isolating, or manipulation

Sexual violence: forced sex, unwanted touching, or coercion

Financial abuse: controlling finances, withholding money, or exploiting resources

Digital abuse: stalking, harassment, or controlling online behavior

Domestic violence can occur in any type of relationship, including:

  • Married couples
  • Unmarried partners
  • Same-sex partners
  • Dating relationships
  • Families (e.g. child abuse, elder abuse)

It’s essential to recognize the signs of domestic violence and support those who are affected. If you or someone you know is experiencing domestic violence, resources are available:

National Domestic Violence Hotline (1-800-799-7233)

National Dating Abuse Helpline (1-866-331-9474)

Text ‘HELP’ to 741741 (Crisis Text Line)

Remember, domestic violence is never acceptable, and help is available. Please speak up to those around you.