Mental Health Awareness Month 2027 runs from Saturday, May 1, to Monday, May 31, 2027, in the United States. Mental Health America started the observance in 1949, and it is held every May.
Other countries mark mental health in different weeks, and World Mental Health Day falls on October 10, so this guide sets out every date, along with the theme, history, and key facts.
If you need help now: in the US, call or text 988 for the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline. In Canada, call or text 9-8-8. In the UK and Ireland, call Samaritans free on 116 123.
Key takeaways
- Mental Health Awareness Month is May in the US; in 2027, it runs from Saturday, May 1, to Monday, May 31.
- The 2026 theme from Mental Health America was “More Good Days, Together”; the 2027 theme has not been announced.
- Canada’s Mental Health Week is expected on May 3–9, 2027, and the UK’s Mental Health Awareness Week is held in May.
- World Mental Health Day is Sunday, October 10, 2027, and is not the same as Mental Health Awareness Month.
Table of Contents
When is Mental Health Awareness Month 2027?
Mental Health Awareness Month 2027 is May 1–31, 2027, in the United States. It starts on a Saturday and ends on Memorial Day, Monday, May 31.
Mental health months and weeks by country in 2027
Each country marks mental health on its own calendar, which is why the dates can seem confusing. The main 2027 dates:
| Observance | Where | 2027 dates | Run by |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mental Health Awareness Month | United States | Saturday, May 1 – Monday, May 31 | Mental Health America |
| Mental Health Week | Canada | Monday, May 3 – Sunday, May 9 (expected) | Canadian Mental Health Association |
| Mental Health Awareness Week | United Kingdom | A week in May (dates to be confirmed) | Mental Health Foundation |
| Men’s Mental Health Month | United States and others | Tuesday, June 1 – Wednesday, June 30 | Various groups |
| Mental Illness Awareness Week | United States | Sunday, October 3 – Saturday, October 9 (expected) | NAMI |
| World Mental Health Day | Worldwide | Sunday, October 10 | World Federation for Mental Health and WHO |
Canada’s week usually starts on the first Monday in May; in 2026, it ran May 4–10. The UK’s Mental Health Awareness Week is set each year by the Mental Health Foundation, so check its site before planning. NAMI’s week is held in the first full week of October.
Is October Mental Health Awareness Month?
No, in the US, Mental Health Awareness Month is May. October has World Mental Health Day on October 10 and NAMI’s Mental Illness Awareness Week, which is why many people think of October as a mental health month.
What is the Mental Health Awareness Month 2027 theme?
The 2027 theme has not been announced yet. Mental Health America sets a theme each year; the 2026 theme was “More Good Days, Together,” which asked people to think about what a good day looks like for themselves and their communities (Mental Health America).
Canada’s 2026 Mental Health Week theme was “Come Together, Canada: Stronger connections, better mental health,” focused on reducing loneliness. We will add the 2027 themes when they are published.
How did Mental Health Awareness Month start?
Mental Health America founded Mental Health Awareness Month in 1949 and has organized it every May since (Mental Health America).
The month aims to reduce stigma and help people find support. Today, it is marked by health agencies, schools, employers, and charities across the US, alongside separate national weeks in Canada and the UK.
Mental health facts
More than 1 in 5 US adults, 23.4%, experienced mental illness in 2024, about 61.5 million people, according to NAMI (NAMI).
| Group | Share with mental illness | About how many | Year |
|---|---|---|---|
| US adults | 23.4% | 61.5 million | 2024 |
| US young adults, ages 18–25 | 32.2% | 11.6 million | 2024 |
| US youth, ages 6–17 | 16.5% | 7.7 million | 2016 |
NAMI compiles these figures from SAMHSA, the CDC, and the National Institute of Mental Health. The youth figure is older, from 2016.
Mental Health Awareness Month ideas
Schools, workplaces, and families mark the month by talking openly about mental health and making support easier to find. Ideas include:
- Share where to get help: post the 988 Lifeline number and local support services where people will see them.
- Hold a check-in: start meetings or classes by asking how people are doing, and mean it.
- Run a workshop: invite a trained speaker to cover stress, sleep, or spotting when a friend is struggling.
- Review workplace support: remind staff about employee assistance programs and mental health days.
- Use the theme: build activities around the year’s Mental Health America theme and toolkit.
Other health months in 2027, including Autism Awareness Month in April, are listed in the Awareness Calendar 2027.
Mental Health Awareness Month dates 2026 to 2031
| Year | US month (May) | Canada Mental Health Week (expected) | World Mental Health Day |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | Friday, May 1 – Sunday, May 31 | May 4–10 (held) | Saturday, October 10 |
| 2027 | Saturday, May 1 – Monday, May 31 | May 3–9 | Sunday, October 10 |
| 2028 | Monday, May 1 – Wednesday, May 31 | May 1–7 | Tuesday, October 10 |
| 2029 | Tuesday, May 1 – Thursday, May 31 | May 7–13 | Wednesday, October 10 |
| 2030 | Wednesday, May 1 – Friday, May 31 | May 6–12 | Thursday, October 10 |
| 2031 | Thursday, May 1 – Saturday, May 31 | May 5–11 | Friday, October 10 |
Frequently asked questions
When is Mental Health Awareness Month 2027?
Mental Health Awareness Month 2027 is May 1–31, 2027, in the US.
Is Mental Health Awareness Month in May or October?
It is in May in the US. October has World Mental Health Day on October 10 and NAMI’s Mental Illness Awareness Week.
When is Mental Health Awareness Week 2027 in the UK?
The UK’s Mental Health Awareness Week is held in May and is set by the Mental Health Foundation. Check its website for the confirmed 2027 dates.
Who started Mental Health Awareness Month?
Mental Health America started Mental Health Awareness Month in 1949.
What was the Mental Health Awareness Month 2026 theme?
The 2026 theme from Mental Health America was “More Good Days, Together.”
When is World Mental Health Day 2027?
World Mental Health Day 2027 is Sunday, October 10, 2027.
