An Invitation to Prioritize Your Mental Health This Summer
May is Mental Health Awareness month, which gives us the much-needed reminder to reflect on our relationship with mental health, the persistent stigma surrounding it, and the continued need for compassionate, accessible support.
Mental health issues are more common than we often admit, yet too many people suffer in silence. Anxiety, depression, burnout, trauma, and grief are not signs of weakness or failure. They are part of the human experience.
This year, as spring transitions into summer, I want to offer a gentle invitation to consider using the coming months to prioritize your mental health. As a psychologist who specializing in treating athletes with eating disorders, I often work with many high-achieving teens, college students, and young adults. During the academic year, these individuals are typically optimizing their time to pursue excellence whether in school, sport, work, or other commitments. This can be particularly tricky when they come across mental health challenges. They often recognize the signs of burnout and distress but feel unable to justify taking time away from their busy schedules to attend regular therapy.
Something I often pose to the athletes I work with is, “If you had a physical injury, would you take time off from school or practice to attend medical or physical therapy appointments?” Almost every time, the answer is “yes.” From there, I help reframe their mental health challenges as a form of mental injury—one that deserves just as much care and support as any physical issue. That said, I also understand that this may not always be logistically feasible, and as a former Division I athlete myself, I get it.
Which is why I extend this invitation. Use the flexibility of summer to tune in, slow down, and prioritize your mental well-being. I encourage you to reflect and ask yourself:
What do I need this summer?
What am I avoiding?
Where do I need support?
Together we can build better habits that will set you up for success in the fall both in your performance and overall well-being. This might mean making time for rest, rekindling joy, or finally addressing the issues that have been put on the back burner all year.
Mental Health Awareness Month isn’t just about awareness, it’s about action. And summer is your chance to pause, recalibrate, and heal. If you’re feeling overwhelmed, anxious, burned out, or simply unsure of your next step—know that you’re not alone. You’re human. You’re doing your best. And support is always within reach.