May is Mental Health Awareness Month: Beyond Awareness, Build Joy and Connection
By Rhenelle Mc Sween-Navarro, Health Program Supervisor
May often arrives with a sense of renewal. Longer days, warmer air, and a gentle awakening spirit can serve to remind us to check in with ourselves. As we recognize Mental Health Awareness Month, Healthy St. Pete is choosing to lean into something a little different this year, not just awareness, but action, connection, and moments of joy.
Mental health isn’t only about getting through the hard days; it is also about creating more good ones. It is found in small, meaningful experiences, such as a deep breath, a shared laugh, a creative spark, or simply feeling seen. That’s where community comes in.
At Healthy St. Pete, we are proud to offer programs that bring people together in supportive, uplifting ways. Mindfulness for Mental Health invites participants to slow down, breathe, reset, and build simple practices that can make a big difference over time.
For those who find healing through creativity, Pelican Painters offers a welcoming space to express yourself freely, and you don’t need to be an artist to benefit. Sometimes simply putting color on a canvas is enough to lighten the load.
We also recognize that not all journeys look the same. Our Bereavement Support Group creates space for individuals navigating loss by offering connection, understanding, and a reminder that no one has to carry that weight alone. Similarly, our LGBTQIA+ Support Group provides a safe, affirming environment where participants can show up fully as themselves and build meaningful friendships
This month, we encourage you to think about mental health not as a destination, but as something we nurture daily through connection, creativity, movement, and care.
Whether you join a program, check in on a friend, or take a moment for yourself, every step counts. Together, those steps build a healthier, more connected St. Pete.
