Mental Health Awareness Month: County Participation Toolkit

America’s counties are on the front line for mental health promotion and service delivery. Counties serve as the nation’s safety net for residents in need, first responders, and operator of crisis lines, public hospitals and detention centers. Counties are integral to any local, state or national level efforts to strengthen the mental health system because of the various touchpoints counties have among residents seeking care. 

This May, the National Association of Counties (NACo) and the National Association of County Behavioral Health and Developmental Disability Directors (NACBHDD) invite the nation’s 3,069 counties, parishes and boroughs to participate in Mental Health Awareness month. By participating, we will highlight how county governments are providing crucial behavioral health services and resources to their residents. 

To show your support counties can use this template to pass a resolution declaring May as Mental Health Awareness Month in your county.

Ways to Take Action

There are many ways to actively participate in Mental Health Awareness month and bring attention to the important efforts you are making at the local level to address the behavioral health needs of your community. 

Choose any of these activities and share with us below. Don’t forget to document and take a picture! 

• HOST: Host a congressional representative, state policy lead or other key stakeholders;
• POST: Post on your county's social media platforms using NACo's social media toolkit;
• VISIT: Go visit your county's behavioral health programs or facilities and invite key stakeholders to observe the work happening at the local level;
• LEAD: Pass a resolution declaring May as Mental Health Awareness Month, share a press release, op-ed and other resources with your community;
• LISTEN: Invite key stakeholders and those with lived experience to share needs that can inform policy decisions;
• ADVOCATE: Speak to state and federal legislative leaders and partners and advocate for key policy priorities; and
• LEARN: Access NACo's resources on mental and behavioral health and share them with your connections and partners