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Early Psychosis Care Center Newsletter

Q2 2026

Mental Health Awareness Month: Turning Awareness into Action

Each May, communities across the country recognize Mental Health Awareness Month, a national movement founded in 1949 by Mental Health America to promote mental wellness, reduce stigma, and connect people with the support they need.

This year’s message is clear: no one should struggle alone.

Mental health affects every person, family, school, and workplace in our communities. By sharing lived experiences, listening to one another, and creating supportive spaces, we can replace silence with understanding and isolation with connection. Every conversation helps break stigma and opens the door to healing.

Mental Health Awareness Month is about more than simply raising awareness — it is about showing up for one another. Whether someone is living with a mental health condition, supporting a loved one, or advocating for better access to care, community support and open dialogue can make a meaningful difference.

The observance highlights the importance of education, early intervention, and access to treatment. During Mental Health Awareness Month, organizations work to educate the public about mental health conditions and their impact while encouraging open conversations that reduce stigma and foster understanding. Efforts throughout the month promote early intervention, increase awareness of available treatment options, and connect individuals with resources such as support groups and crisis services. The campaign also helps build solidarity among those facing mental health challenges, advocates for stronger mental health policies and improved access to care, and encourages self-care practices that support overall emotional wellbeing.

The need for awareness and support remains urgent. Nearly 30 million people in the United States lack access to affordable, comprehensive mental health and substance use treatment. Recent statistics show that about 1 in 5 adults experienced mental illness in the past year, while 1 in 20 adults experienced serious mental illness. Among young people, 1 in 5 youth live with a mental health condition, with anxiety being the most common. Research also shows that nearly 63% of mental health conditions emerge by age 25, highlighting the importance of early support and intervention. In 2023, 20% of U.S. high school students reported considering suicide, underscoring the critical need for continued awareness, resources, and community support.

Mental Health Awareness Month reminds us that healing begins in community. By creating spaces rooted in empathy, understanding, and support, we can help ensure more people feel seen, heard, and empowered to seek help when they need it most.

Days to Honor

MAY

Clubhouse Giving Day

May 1

This is a special opportunity for Clubhouses to come together to raise money and awareness for the global movement. The Clubhouse Model expands and enhances recovery opportunities for people living with mental illness by integrating the proven recovery model into community-based approaches worldwide. To donate, please visit clubhousegivingday.org (opens in a new tab).
JUNE

PTSD Awareness Day

June 27

On June 27, we talk about PTSD, a complex disorder caused by experiencing or witnessing trauma. The trauma necessary to cause PTSD can originate from many events — potentially an accident, combat, a natural disaster, or an assault — but there are other ways PTSD symptoms can arise.
JULY

World Brain Day

July 22

This is one of the most important annual celebrations in the world, as it helps raise awareness on an increasingly significant health issue, especially in our modern age. Brain health can refer to many prevention methods designed to help preserve both mental health and brain neurological health.
Two men talking in a therapy session

World Schizophrenia Day

May 24, 2026

World Schizophrenia Awareness Day raises awareness about schizophrenia, a mental illness affecting more than 24 million people worldwide. The day aims to reduce stigma, challenge misinformation, and encourage people to seek support and treatment.

Schizophrenia is a mental disorder that can involve hallucinations, delusions, disorganized thinking, and difficulty distinguishing reality. Symptoms often begin in early adulthood, but with proper treatment, including medication and therapy, many individuals can improve and lead fulfilling lives.

The day also highlights the daily challenges faced by people living with schizophrenia and promotes understanding, inclusion, and open conversations about mental health.

People can observe the day by attending events, sharing information, supporting mental health organizations, volunteering, donating, and having open conversations to help reduce stigma and promote understanding of schizophrenia.

Young adults working together around a laptop

Join our Youth Advisory Council!

We are looking for youth & young adults ages 15-35 with personal lived experience with psychosis. Influence change, empower others, and build connections!
QR code to join the EPC Youth Advisory Council
To join, please visit
www.epcmissouri.org/youth-advisory-council/
The EPC Youth Advisory Council (YAC) is working to reduce stigma about psychosis by sharing resources, raising awareness, and providing fact-based education in order to improve young people’s access to care.

Monthly virtual meetings

Second Monday of every month, 6-7pm CST

Join the Youth Advisory Council

Upcoming Trainings

A person joining a virtual training on a laptop

Substance Use & Psychosis

This training provides an overview of psychosis symptoms, examines the interaction between psychosis and substance use, and clarifies distinctions among primary psychotic disorders, substance-induced psychosis, and psychotic disorders with comorbid substance use. The session highlights the relationship between cannabis use and psychosis risk and offers a brief review of intervention strategies.
Register for Substance Use & Psychosis

Assessment 101 | Part A & B

Assessment 101A is the first session in a two-part assessment training. This module focuses specifically on intake questions used in evaluating possible first-episode psychosis. Participants will develop confidence in asking psychosis-related questions and engaging with individuals reporting early signs and symptoms. As a continuation of Assessment 101A, this session deepens participants’ understanding of differentiating between clinical high-risk presentations and full psychosis symptoms. The training introduces the use of screening tools, self-report measures, and structured or semi-structured clinical interviews. Emphasis is placed on how these tools support accurate diagnosis, treatment planning, and ongoing symptom monitoring.
Register for Assessment 101 | Part A & B

Psychosis 101

This introductory training provides an overview of psychosis symptoms and diagnostic criteria. Participants will learn to distinguish between attenuated and full-threshold psychosis, explore how culture and trauma shape symptom presentation and interpretation, and understand the importance of establishing rapport when discussing emerging symptoms. Psychosis 101 also supports providers in developing skills for talking with clients and families about possible psychosis indicators and reinforces the critical role of early identification and intervention. Virtual format, recorded, and made available online.
Register for Psychosis 101

Postpartum Psychosis

This training provides a concise overview of postpartum psychosis, including clinical features, timing, risk and non-risk factors, and practical response steps when early warning signs are identified.
Register for Postpartum Psychosis

Trauma & Psychosis

This training introduces the essential role of assessing trauma exposure in individuals experiencing early psychosis as part of a routine behavioral health evaluation. The session provides an overview of evidence-informed intervention strategies.
Register for Trauma & Psychosis

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