May 1, 2026/Midnight
Gannon, Erie Campus—The month of May is National Mental Health Awareness Month. During May, people can recognize the month by learning more about the history of Mental Health Awareness Month and about the resources they have available to them.
Mental Health Awareness Month was started in 1946, by a man named Clifford W. Beers. He had a history of struggling with his mental health and was severely mistreated in mental hospitals. Beers went on to write a book that detailed his life as someone who struggled with mental health issues and propelled a national conversation about these struggles, while also highlighting the treatment of people with mental illness.
Mental Health America explains, “Upon his release, Beers was resolved to expose the maltreatment of people with mental illnesses and to reform care. In 1908, he published his autobiography, A Mind That Found Itself, which roused the nation to the plight of people with mental illnesses and set a reform movement into motion…On February 19, 1909, Beers, along with philosopher William James and psychiatrist Adolf Meyer, embraced that future by creating the National Committee for Mental Hygiene, later the National Mental Health Association and what we know today as the Mental Health America.”
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That organization, Mental Health America, founded Mental Health Awareness Week, which later expanded into the month we know today. The Ness Center states, “In its early years, Mental Health Awareness Month was mostly centered on public education and prevention. MHA distributed pamphlets, hosted local events, and ran public service announcements. The goal was simple but ambitious: to encourage Americans to take their mental health seriously and seek early intervention when symptoms first appeared.”
Over the years, Mental Health Awareness Week/Month has had several different themes and focuses. The Ness Center says, “In the 1950s and 1960s, campaigns often focused on topics like childhood development, workplace stress, and family relationships. While the language used during that time was limited compared to today’s understanding, the underlying message was clear: mental health is not something to ignore or be ashamed of.”
Today, Mental Health Awareness Month serves as a month where people can learn about mental health, and how to help themselves or others.
Gannon students have many mental health resources available to them. On the third floor of Beyer Hall, room 305, is the Counselling Center. In-person counselling is offered Monday through Friday, between 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Appointments outside of these working hours can also be made. Counselling and Psychological Services has a Relaxation Room, which is free and unlimited for students. It includes a massage chair, tea, aromatherapy, and other amenities to help students relax. Additionally, there is a second Relaxation Room on campus, which is on the first floor of the Nash Library.
All Gannon students also have access to BetterMynd, which allows five free teletherapy sessions. To register an account with BetterMynd, visit this link.