Mental Health Awareness Month

May brings more than sunshine and blooming trees—it’s also Mental Health Awareness Month. This time of year, invites us to reflect, educate, and take action in support of mental well-being for ourselves and the people around us. It’s a chance to reduce stigma, encourage open conversations, and promote access to resources that help people thrive.

Mental health plays a key role in thinking, feeling, and navigating our lives. Whether it’s managing daily stress, working through past trauma, or facing anxiety or depression, prioritizing your mental well-being is essential to living a balanced, healthy life.

Finding Local Resources in Minnesota

For those searching for local resources in Minnesota, we offer accessible, compassionate care designed to meet people where they are, both geographically and emotionally. With outpatient care available in our Shakopee location and a dedicated team of experienced professionals, we support individuals and families with a wide range of mental health and addiction services. In-person and telehealth appointments are available. 

Outpatient Mental Health Services

• Individual Counseling
• Couple Therapy
• Family Counseling
• Specialized Therapies

5 Coping Skills for Mental Health Awareness Month

1. Grounding Skills

Grounding helps bring your awareness to the present moment, especially helpful during anxiety or dissociation.
Try this: Name five things you can see, four you can touch, three you can hear, two you can smell, and one you can taste. This “5-4-3-2-1” technique engages your senses to help you feel more in control.

2. Box Breathing

A simple yet powerful breathing exercise used by Navy SEALs and therapists alike.
How to do it:

• Inhale for 4 seconds
• Hold for 4 seconds
• Exhale for 4 seconds
• Hold for 4 seconds
  Repeat for 4–5 rounds. It slows the nervous system and helps you reset.

3. Progressive Muscle Relaxation

This technique involves tensing and then slowly releasing different muscle groups to relieve stress and physical tension. Start at your toes and work up to your head, or vice versa, tightening each muscle group for 5 seconds before releasing.

4. Guided Imagery

Use visualization to create a calm, peaceful mental space.
Try this: Close your eyes and imagine yourself in a safe, comforting environment—like a beach, forest, or cozy room. Focus on what you would see, hear, and feel in that space. You can also find guided recordings online or through meditation apps.

5. DBT – STOP SKILL (Dialectical Behavior Therapy)

S.T.O.P. stands for:

• Stop – Freeze and pause.
• Take a step back – Don’t react right away.
• Observe – What are you thinking and feeling? What are the facts?
• Proceed mindfully – Choose the next best step with intention.

Why Mental Health Awareness Month Is Important

Mental Health Awareness Month is a chance to spark honest conversations and promote meaningful change. With nearly one in five adults in the U.S. experiencing a mental illness each year, the need for awareness, access to care, and early intervention is more critical than ever. Mental health challenges often begin early in life, with half of all lifetime mental illnesses developing by age 14. By bringing attention to these realities, we can reduce stigma, encourage people to seek support sooner, and ensure that mental health is treated with the same urgency and compassion as physical health.

Closing

Mental Health Awareness Month reminds you that you’re not alone. Whether you’re just beginning to explore mental health support or looking for new ways to care for yourself or a loved one, we’re here to walk alongside you. At NorthStar Regional, we’re committed to creating a safe, welcoming space where you can grow, heal, and thrive.