Tara Lantz
May is Mental Health Awareness Month, a time to pause, reflect, and check-in. It’s an opportunity to ask yourself a simple but important question: How am I really doing?
It’s also the perfect time to check in with the people around you: your friends, family, and colleagues. Starting the conversation doesn’t have to be complicated. It can be as easy as: “Hey, did you know it’s Mental Health Awareness Month? How are you? How is your mental health?” 
Mental health challenges are more common than many people realize. According to the CDC, 1 in 5 U.S. adults have been diagnosed with depression, and 1 in 8 regularly experience anxiety symptoms.
At the same time, not everyone feels comfortable opening up, 15% of Americans say they’re not comfortable talking about their mental health with anyone at all, according to Pew Research Center.
That gap, between struggling and speaking up, is where simple check-ins can make a real difference.
It’s also where many people get stuck.
Because asking the question is one thing…but what do you say if someone tells you they’re not okay?
What If Someone Tells You They’re Not Okay?
Knowing what to say in that moment can feel overwhelming, but it doesn’t have to be.
Start with compassion:
Acknowledge what they’re going through: “I’m really sorry you’re dealing with this.” “I’m here for you, no matter what.”
Validate their feelings:
Remind them they’re not alone: “You don’t have to go through this alone.” “It’s okay to feel this way.”
Offer support, not solutions:
You don’t need to fix anything. Instead, ask: “Do you want advice, or do you just need to vent?” “Would it help if I just listened?”
Be mindful of what not to say:
Phrases like “Just get over it,” “Others have it worse,” or “Everything happens for a reason” can unintentionally shut someone down.
Follow up:
A simple “I’m going to check in with you later this week” shows that your support doesn’t end with one conversation.
Support doesn’t have to be big or complicated. It can start with a conversation, a hug, or simply being present. Those small moments can make a lasting impact.
That belief is exactly what drove Cameron Gallagher. 
A Richmond-area teen, student-athlete, and passionate advocate, Cameron openly shared her own struggles with depression and anxiety. She believed deeply in the power of conversation and connection, reminding others that they are never alone in what they are feeling. Her message was simple, but powerful: You are not alone.
Today, her legacy lives on through the Cameron K. Gallagher Foundation (CKG), which continues to normalize conversations around mental health and provide resources and support to those who need it.
Join CKG This May!
This May, take the next step beyond conversation and get involved with the community.
CKG is hosting their annual CKG Community Day, a morning dedicated to connection, conversation, and kicking off Mental Health Awareness Month together. It’s a chance to show up, support one another, and be part of something bigger.
You can also participate in the SpeakUp5K, an inspiring event that brings the community together to continue Cameron’s mission of ending the stigma around mental health.
Whether you attend an event, start a conversation, or simply check in with someone you care about, you’re helping move the needle.
Because change doesn’t start with a big moment.
It starts with asking one simple question: Are you okay?
Looking for additional resources?
Check out CKG's Digital Toolkits, designed to help teens improve mental health literacy, proactively build and strengthen their mental wellness toolbox.
