Mental Health Awareness Month Highlights Urgent Needs — and Our United Way’s Solutions

United Is the Way to Expand Tools, Training, and Partnerships for Better Behavioral Health

by Aisha T. McDonald, LMHC, Director of Training Initiatives, United Way Broward


Mental health affects how we think, feel, connect, and show up every day. And every May, Mental Health Awareness Month reminds us that these conversations matter. It is an opportunity to shine a light on recognizing the importance of mental well-being and encouraging open conversations to reduce stigma.


In Broward County, this month carries particular significance. With an extremely diverse and rapidly growing population, our community faces a wide range of mental health needs.


Broward County’s recent data shows rising homelessness, persistent prevalence in mental‑health disorders, and elevated indicators of substance use — all pointing to growing needs for stronger behavioral‑health systems:

  • Roughly 400,000 Broward adults, or 20% of Broward’s population, are estimated to experience a mental‑health disorder on an annual basis.
  • More than 13% of adults reported illicit drug use in the past month, exceeding national averages.
  • Veterans, lower‑income residents, and LGBTQ+ individuals face disproportionately higher risks with their mental health.
  • Broward’s homeless population increased 21% increase in the past year.
  • Broward’s overall population has increased nearly 15% since 2010 — expanding demand for behavioral‑health services faster than provider capacity.


One of the impactful ways Broward residents are taking concrete, community‑driven action is through Mental Health First Aid, a widely recognized training program offered locally through United Way Broward. Mental Health Awareness Month is an invitation to promote compassionate responses, and Mental Health First Aid provides the practical tools to respond effectively when someone is developing signs and symptoms of a mental health condition or in a crisis related to mental health.

 


Mental Health First Aid is an internationally renowned, evidence-based training that teaches people how to identify, understand, and respond to signs of mental health or substance-use challenges. Much like the ways traditional first aid equips people to respond to physical emergencies, Mental Health First Aid prepares people to offer support to someone who is experiencing challenges with mental health and then guides him or her toward the appropriate intervention and support. Like CPR, individuals are not trained to become medical or therapeutic professionals in this eight-hour session, but they are equipped with the skills to help potentially save someone’s life.


Participants learn how to recognize common signs of anxiety, depression, trauma, substance use, and other mental health challenges. They also learn how to listen nonjudgmentally, provide appropriate care and reassurance, and connect individuals with helpful resources. The training is practical, accessible, and designed for anyone — professionals, providers, teachers, parents, employers, faith-based leaders, neighbors, and community members of all backgrounds.


In a world where mental health challenges are increasingly common, Mental Health First Aid empowers people to respond with confidence, and it turns awareness into action, which is exactly what Mental Health Awareness Month promotes.

 


United Way Broward recognizes mental health influences every aspect of life, from academic success to workplace productivity to stability at home. Ensuring our residents have access to the right physical and mental health is an essential part of our mission — a core part of how we are stabilizing households, helping people rise and thrive, and strengthening long‑term community well‑being.


By equipping people with the tools to support one another before a crisis escalates, Mental Health First Aid is one of the many ways we are building a resilient community, expanding access to healthcare, and creating a powerful network of informed, supportive individuals who are making a meaningful difference — and, in some cases, saving lives.


As this work continues to grow, another key component of our ongoing work comes into focus: Every year, United Way Broward and presenting Broward Behavioral Health Coalition host our South Florida Behavioral Health Conference (BHC), a signature event bringing together over 500 mental health professionals, educators, community leaders, policy-makers, faith-based leaders, and residents for a full day of strategies, insights, shared experiences, and connections.


Featuring expert speakers, panel discussions, and workshops exploring the extensive range of behavioral health issues people of all ages face, BHC serves as a powerful extension of United Way Broward’s Coalition on Behavioral Health & Drug Prevention.

 


While Mental Health First Aid equips individuals with practical skills, our annual South Florida Behavioral Health Conference elevates the conversation to a broader level — highlighting trends, sharing best practices, and fostering partnerships and collaborative integrations to strengthen the entire behavioral health ecosystem.


During Mental Health Awareness Month, BHC and Mental Health First Aird are powerful reminders that mental wellness is a collective responsibility. It reinforces the idea that when community leaders and healthcare professionals come together, we can build and change systems to improve and uplift people’s lives.


Mental Health First Aid and the Behavioral Health Conference align perfectly with the goals of Mental Health Awareness Month. This program and this conference provide the knowledge, skills, and community connections needed to fortify real‑world responses and expand networks for support.


Through the action teams at United Way Broward, our community is becoming better informed, connected, and prepared to support each other. Together, we are building a Broward County where everyone is valued, supported, and empowered to seek help when they need it.


You too can be a part of Mental Health Awareness Month and the great work United Way Broward is doing: