In the United States, May is widely observed as Women’s Health Month and also Mental Health Month. Many organizations use this overlap to run a de facto “women’s mental health month”—a focused time to raise awareness, screen for concerns, and connect women with care, including during pregnancy and after birth. If you need help now, contact your local emergency services or a crisis hotline in your country.
Keywords covered: when is women’s mental health month, is there a women’s mental health month, women’s mental health awareness month.
What Is “Women’s Mental Health Month”?
“Women’s mental health month” is a public-education focus many groups run in May to spotlight the unique factors that influence women’s mental well-being—biology (e.g., hormones), life roles (e.g., caregiving), and social stressors. It sits at the intersection of Women’s Health Month and Mental Health Month, making May a natural time to amplify screening, early support, and access to care.
Is there a women’s mental health month? There isn’t a single law-designated month just for this in every country, but in practice many clinics, nonprofits, and public-health agencies treat May as women’s mental health awareness month—running campaigns, free screenings, and community events to reduce stigma and help women get care.
When Is Women’s Mental Health Month?
When is women’s mental health month? In the U.S., it’s commonly observed in May, aligning with Mental Health Month and Women’s Health Month. That timing makes it easier for families, employers, and health systems to coordinate awareness, benefits, and checkups that address both physical and mental health.
Why Women’s Mental Health Awareness Matters
Women are statistically more likely than men to experience conditions like anxiety and depression. Contributing factors can include hormonal changes across the lifespan, caregiving demands, and everyday stress. Pregnancy and the postpartum period introduce additional, unique challenges that deserve special attention.
Maternal Mental Health: Pregnancy & Postpartum
Physical Health Needs During Pregnancy
- Prenatal visits: Monitor blood pressure, weight gain, and screen for gestational diabetes, anemia, and preeclampsia.
- Nutrition & supplements: Emphasize vegetables, fruits, whole grains, lean proteins, and low-fat dairy; ensure folic acid, iron, calcium, and prenatal vitamins.
- Physical activity: Light to moderate exercise can improve circulation, sleep, energy, mood, and help reduce back pain and gestational-diabetes risk.
- Avoid harmful substances: Avoid alcohol, tobacco, and drugs; limit caffeine; consult a clinician before taking any medication.
Mental Health During Pregnancy
Pregnancy can be joyful and stressful. Heightened anxiety or depressive symptoms are common and treatable. Screening, social support, and early conversations with your clinician can make a major difference.
The “Baby Blues” vs. Postpartum Depression (PPD)
- Baby blues: Mild mood swings, worry, or tearfulness in the first days to weeks after birth; usually resolves on its own.
- Postpartum depression: Sadness, hopelessness, anxiety, irritability, sleep/appetite changes, or feeling disconnected from the baby that persist beyond two weeks and interfere with daily life. PPD is common and treatable.
Risk factors can include prior depression, family history, a difficult birth, complications in previous pregnancies, limited social support, being under age 20, or an unplanned pregnancy.
How to Support New Mothers
- Healthcare follow-up: Providers should screen for PPD at postpartum visits.
- Social support: Ask new mothers how they’re doing—emotionally and physically. Offer practical help (meals, chores, childcare breaks).
- Evidence-based care: Peer support, psychotherapy, and when appropriate, medication can help. Reaching out is a strong first step.
Common Signs to Watch For
- Persistent sadness, emptiness, or hopelessness
- Loss of interest in activities you used to enjoy
- Sleep or appetite changes
- Excessive worry, panic, or racing thoughts
- Irritability, restlessness, or trouble concentrating
- Feeling overwhelmed by caregiving or work demands
- Thoughts of self-harm—seek urgent help immediately
How to Take Action This May (and Beyond)
- Schedule a checkup: Use May to book preventive visits—mental and physical.
- Ask about screening: Request anxiety/depression screening, especially if pregnant or postpartum.
- Build a support plan: Identify 2–3 people you can text or call when stress spikes.
- Practice small daily habits: 10–20 minutes of movement, balanced meals, and consistent sleep routines.
- Know local resources: Save crisis and community support numbers in your phone.
FAQ: Women’s Mental Health Month
Is there a women’s mental health month?
Yes—many organizations designate May as a focused time for women’s mental health awareness month, leveraging the overlap of Women’s Health Month and Mental Health Month to run education, screenings, and support initiatives.
When is women’s mental health month?
May. The observance aligns with national campaigns in May to highlight both physical and mental health for women.
What issues does it highlight?
Anxiety, depression, stress, caregiving strain, trauma, and maternal mental health—especially pregnancy and postpartum depression. It also promotes screening, social support, therapy, and—when appropriate—medication.
How is postpartum depression different from “baby blues”?
The “baby blues” are short-lived mood changes within days to weeks after birth. Postpartum depression lasts longer than two weeks, disrupts daily life, and often needs professional support. Both are common; PPD is highly treatable.
One-Page Checklist: Your May Mental Health Tune-Up
- Book a preventive visit (primary care or OB/GYN)
- Request an anxiety/depression screening
- List your top stressors and one action for each
- Schedule movement: 15 minutes, 5 days this week
- Plan three balanced meals you enjoy
- Set a wind-down alarm to protect sleep
- Save crisis/support numbers in your contacts
If You Need Help
If you’re worried about your safety or someone else’s, call local emergency services right away. For non-emergency support, contact your primary care clinician, OB/GYN, or a licensed mental-health professional. If you recently gave birth and feel persistently sad, anxious, or disconnected from your baby, ask for a postpartum depression screening—effective treatments are available.
