A belief in potential. A right to dream. An opportunity to achieve.
Welcome to SCCMHA
We at SCCMHA have a deep-seated belief in the potential of every person we meet.
These same persons have a right to dream and imagine a life of their choosing and we are here to support those dreams and help them with opportunities to achieve.
May is recognized as Borderline Personality Disorder Awareness Month.
Borderline Personality Disorder is a widely misunderstood psychiatric disorder, affecting over 14 million Americans each year.
May is recognized as Borderline Personality Disorder Awareness Month.
BPD is identified by pervasive instability in moods, interpersonal relationships, self-image, and behavior. This can lead to intense episodes of anger, depression and anxiety that can last from a few hours to several days.
About 75% of diagnosed cases of BPD are found in women and more people are affected by BPD than both schizophrenia and bipolar disorder combined.
BPD is also associated with a higher incidence of substance abuse, eating disorders and depression, as well as suicide – which is 400 times the rate of the general population.
However, BPD is highly treatable through therapy and medication, with approximately 50% of people diagnosed experience significant improvement through treatment within five years.
Due to the stigma surrounding mental health conditions, many cases go unnoticed and BPD can often be overlooked by those who have not been diagnosed or do not understand it.
Borderline Personality Disorder Awareness Month is important to raise awareness and help end the stigma around BPD, as well as encouraging those in need to get assistance.
May is Mental Health Awareness Month
Sparking the conversation around mental health and helping to stop the stigma begins with courage.
Courage to share our stories, connect with each other about mental health and encouraging ourselves and our loved ones to seek mental health help when we need it.
May is Mental Health Awareness Month, a time to raise awareness and reduce the stigma around behavioral health issues and how it can impact all of us, whether personally or through our friends and families.
By having conversations and sharing stories about our own journeys in mental wellness, educating others about access to care and how we can provide support, and advocating for policies, we can help can significantly improve the stigma around it and advocate for those affected by mental illness.
According to studies from the Center for Disease Control and Prevention:
- More than 1 in 5 US adults live with a mental illness.
- Over 1 in 5 youth either currently or at some point in their life are affected by a serious mental illness.
- About 1 in 25 US adults live with a serious mental illness, such as schizophrenia, bipolar disorder or major depression.
If you are worried about your mental health or worried about someone you know, there are resources and people out there who are willing to help.
Here is a list of resources to connect with for mental health assistance:
- SAMHSA’s National Helpline is a 24/7 treatment referral and information service.
- 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline offers 24/7, confidential support for people in distress.
- FindTreatment.gov helps people seek treatment for mental and substance use disorders.
- National Institute of Mental Health outlines additional mental health services.
For more information: Mental Health Awareness Month | NAMI | May is Mental Health Awareness Month | AHA | Mental Health Awareness Month 2025 - National Council
May is recognized as Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) Heritage Month.
AAPI Heritage Month is celebrated to recognize the historic and cultural contributions of individuals and groups of Asian and Pacific Islander descent in the United States.
The holiday was first commemorated as Asian/Pacific American Heritage Week in May 1977, however was expanded to be celebrated for the full month of May in 1990.
Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders have contributed many advancements and accomplishments in the US in the fields of science and medicine, literature and art, sports, politics, law and activism.
Significant figures of Asian or Pacific Islander descent include:
- Leah Hing, the first US-born Chinese American woman to earn a pilot’s license
- Dalip Singh Saund, the first Sikh American, Asian American and Indian American to be elected to the United States Congress
- Ang Lee, a Taiwanese American filmmaker, noted for being the first non-white director to win an Academy Award for Best Director
- Yo-Yo Ma, a Chinese American musician who has recorded more than 90 albums and won 18 Grammys, as well as receiving notable awards such as the Presidential Medal of Freedom and the Glenn Gould Prize
- I.M. Pei, a Chinese-born architect who designed JFK Airport in New York City, the JFK Memorial Library at Harvard, the Louvre Museum in Paris and many other notable structures
- Anna May Wong, the first Chinese American actress of Taishanese descent to achieve stardom in Hollywood
- Philip Vera Cruz, a Filipino agricultural worker who served as the vice president of the United Farm Workers (UFW) union to demand better treatment for Filipino farmworkers
- Sammy Lee, the first Asian American man to win an Olympic gold medal for the United States
Today, Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders are the fastest growing racial group in the United States. AAPI Heritage Month celebrates the history and cultural impact of all AAPI immigrants and citizens and their unique experiences and traditions.
To learn more: Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month - Dates, Quotes | HISTORY | Famous Asian Americans to Know About
Children's Mental Health Awareness Week
According to the CDC, over one in six children aged 2-8 are diagnosed with a mental health condition.
May 4-10 is designated as Children’s Mental Health Awareness Week, while the American Psychological Association recognizes May 7 as Children’s Mental Health Awareness Day.
These are focused on raising awareness and encouraging support for children in need of mental health treatments, as well as those who have not been diagnosed yet.
Taking positive steps to identifying and improving the mental health of children is crucial to their development, as well as promoting resiliency and recovery, as well as proper treatment for those children living with mental illnesses.
To help support children’s mental health, you can:
- teach them to identify emotions
- look out for symptoms
- ensure their needs are met
- be a positive role model
- express love and affection
These are great actions to take to ensure children feel heard and respected to communicate if they are dealing with mental illness. It all starts with you and your care and support!
Nurses make the difference.
May 6 – 12 marks National Nurses Week, as recognized by the American Nurses Association (ANA).
Nurses worldwide make invaluable and irreplaceable impacts every day, contributing to advancements in the nursing field, providing care, patient safety and making differences in the lives of those they serve.
In October 1954, the first National Nurse Week was observed in recognition of the 100th anniversary of Florence Nightingale’s mission in Crimea, where she and 38 nurses arrived to assist in care for British soldiers during the Crimean War.
In 1982, the ANA formally acknowledged May 6 as National Nurses Day, eventually expanding it to National Nurses Week, taking place from May 6 to May 12.
You can help observe the holiday by thanking a nurse for their contributions worldwide, their effort, dedication and sacrifices.
Nurses are essential members of the healthcare workforce, and they cannot be thanked or celebrated enough for their contributions, compassion and care.
From all of us at SCCMHA, thank you nurses!
To learn more about National Nurses Week: ANA National Nurses Week | Nurse.org - National Nurses Week