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SUBJ/MENTAL HEALTH AWARENESS MONTH//

RMKS/1.  May is Mental Health Awareness Month, an opportunity to help each 
other recognize the many ways that behavioral health conditions impact our 
lives, as well as our individual and team readiness.  It is also an opportune 
time to remind ourselves to advocate for those experiencing life stressors, 
as well as an opportunity to highlight existing resources and services 
available to the Navy and Marine Corps team to ensure the delivery of the 
most appropriate service to meet Service Member needs.
Military service can be complex, presenting stressors that are wide-reaching 
and have readiness impacts to our Sailors, Marines, their families, and our 
civilian workforce.  As you stand the watch on behalf of the American people, 
I ask you to take time to look out for yourself and those who serve alongside 
you.  I encourage you to reach out to others and focus on fostering social 
connectedness, particularly those connections that may have been weakened 
during the pandemic.  Social connectedness is integral to our readiness as it 
not only improves our mental health and well-being but strengthens our 
immunity and can even increase our longevity.
You are never alone and there is no wrong door to get help.  We have a full 
range of mental health resources that include mental health and medical 
professionals, family counselors, chaplains, and other support services to 
help you get the right care, at the right level, when you need it.  Mental 
health services are available across the globe at military medical treatment 
facilities, above, on, and below the sea, and embedded within operational 
units.  We have non-medical mental health resources available through our 
Fleet and Family Support Centers, Marine Corps Community Services, Military 
and Family Life Counseling, Deployment Resiliency Counselors, the 
Psychological Help Outreach Program, Veterans Affairs Vet Centers, and 
Military OneSource.  Our chaplains provide confidential counseling and foster 
spiritual readiness.  Our civilian teammates can access a wide range of 
services through the Civilian Employee Assistance Program.
Share with others when you have positive experiences seeking and receiving 
counseling.  I especially encourage leaders to set this example.  We have a 
duty to remove stigma, and encourage others to make time for their mental 
health.  Your actions can encourage a shipmate to get the help they need.
Check in often with your fellow Sailors and Marines.  Help them feel more 
socially connected.  Do not wait until you see them struggling.  When they 
need additional support, help them get connected to services that can provide 
assistance.  You can be the difference.  Together, we must fight stigma, 
promote mental health education, and normalize taking care of our mental 
health.

2.  Released by the Honorable Carlos Del Toro, Secretary of the Navy.

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