In 2019, the National Institute of Mental Health reported that 20% of adults in the United States were living with some form of mental illness. Fast-forward one (highly unusual) year to December of 2020, and the U.S. Census Bureau found that 42% of people surveyed reported symptoms of anxiety or depression. Recent months have been hard. If you are one of the many people struggling to get through each day, take heart, you are not alone.

The bright side? There may never be a better opportunity to start speaking up about mental health. What better time than now to share our stories and to chip away at the stigma that has historically prevented people from seeking help. As Britain’s Prince Harry said in 2017, “The experience I have had is that once you start talking about [mental health struggles], you realize that actually you’re part of quite a big club.”

In honor Mental Health Month in May, we’ve compiled the following quotes about coping with the challenges of mental illness. And remember, if you or someone you know needs support, the National Alliance on Mental Illness has a wide offering of services from crisis counselors to live chat support, and you can call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline anytime at 1-800-273-8255.


I found that with depression, one of the most important things you can realize is that you’re not alone. You’re not the first to go through it, you’re not gonna be the last to go through it.
– Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson

The biggest lie that we’ve ever been sold is that we as artists have to stay in pain to create.
– Katy Perry

The experience I have had is that once you start talking about [mental health struggles], you realize that actually you’re part of quite a big club.
– Prince Harry

There is hope, even when your brain tells you there isn’t.
– John Green, author

Sometimes things fall apart, it’s part of the journey.
– Nyesha Arrington, “Top Chef” contestant

The best thing I ever did for my mental health was I stopped apologizing for it.
– Hannah Blum, writer and mental health advocate

Be careful about how you hide yourself from people who care. Your hiding could set up a life-or-death situation whereby you are in need and there is no one left to help.
– Rheeda Walker, psychologist and researcher

Sometimes the people around you won't understand your journey. They don't need to, it's not for them.
– Zero Dean, motivational author

Just because no one else can heal or do your inner work for you doesn’t mean you can, should, or need to do it alone.
–  Lisa Olivera, writer and therapist

If we start being honest about our pain, our anger, and our shortcomings instead of pretending they don’t exist, then maybe we’ll leave the world a better place than we found it.
– Russell Wilson, football player

Believe that life is worth living, and your belief will help create the fact.
– William James, philosopher and psychologist

Hope is the feeling we have that the feeling we have is not permanent.
– Mignon McLaughlin, journalist and author

Your illness is not your identity. Your chemistry is not your character.
– Rick Warren, pastor and author

Healing begins with the open, compassionate acknowledgement of these unpleasant aspects of our lives.
– Sharon Salzberg, author and meditation teacher

Photo credit: Dustin Humes/Unsplash