Depression Awareness Month and Why October Matters

Depression Awareness Month takes place throughout October. The name varies, too, and Johns Hopkins University, for one, has called it National Depression Education and Awareness Month in its staff news. Mental health organizations and health systems mark it each year, and it shares the month with several related dates.

World Mental Health Day, led by the World Health Organization, falls on October 10. National Depression Screening Day is a separate event. It fell on October 10 in 2024. Organizations may hold it on any convenient day, and no 2026 date has been announced.

Mental Illness Awareness Week, led by the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI), runs the first full week of October. NAMI had not posted its 2026 dates as of late September. World Mental Health Day aims to raise awareness of mental health issues around the world and to rally support for mental health. Its 2026 theme, “Lived experiences heard,” carries the subtitle “real voices, real change.”

Treatment reaches most adults with depression, but not all. In 2025, about one in three US adults with a past-year major depressive episode got no mental health treatment, according to SAMHSA’s 2025 national survey report. A screening is one way to learn whether you, or someone you love, might benefit from care.

Mental Health Awareness Month falls in May. Mental Health America founded it in 1949 and has led it every May since. October is different, with a narrower focus. It carries Depression Awareness Month, Mental Illness Awareness Week and World Mental Health Day. Its events center on depression, screening and where to find help.

Green Ribbon Color for Depression Awareness

The ribbon is green. Mental Health America describes green as the international symbol for mental health awareness, a cause that includes depression. MHA’s own awareness pin carries a green ribbon. Throughout October, wearing green or displaying a green ribbon is a simple way to start a conversation about depression and show support for people living with it.

Beyond the ribbon, the semicolon symbol (;) has emerged as another powerful icon, representing that an individual’s story isn’t over yet. The symbol is particularly meaningful for suicide prevention awareness within the broader mental health movement.

October Mental Health Observances Calendar

October hosts several mental health observances, each led by its own organization.

How the Observances Began and What Depression Costs

Congress established the first full week of October as Mental Illness Awareness Week in 1990, following advocacy by NAMI. National Depression Screening Day came from screening programs. The SOS Signs of Suicide site now hosts the former MindWise pages. The site describes the day as a platform for colleges, communities and organizations to screen for depression and conditions that often occur with it.

Depression also carries a large economic cost. A 2023 study in Advances in Therapy estimated the added societal burden of major depressive disorder among US adults at $333.7 billion in 2019. The figure includes household-related costs, and several of its co-authors were employees of Biogen and Sage Therapeutics.

What the Latest Depression Numbers Show

SAMHSA’s 2025 survey shows who gets care. Of US adults with a major depressive episode in the past year, 65.9% (13.0 million) received some type of mental health treatment, and 6.7 million did not. Among adolescents with a past-year episode, 57.7% received treatment. These figures are self-reports, not clinical diagnoses. SAMHSA also reports adult and adolescent figures separately, since the two are not directly comparable.

Suicide caused 48,824 deaths in the United States in 2024, according to CDC’s National Center for Health Statistics. It ranks 10th among causes of death across all ages. A 2023 statement from the US Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF), citing earlier CDC data, called suicide the second-leading cause of death for people aged 10 to 34. Warning signs are listed below.

Depression Across Different Populations

Depression rates differ from group to group.

• Women and girls report higher rates than men and boys. In pooled 2022 to 2024 survey data, 10.3% of adult women had a past-year major depressive episode, compared with 6.6% of men. Among adolescents, the figures were 26.0% of girls and 9.8% of boys. Worldwide, WHO finds depression about 1.5 times more common among women.
• Teens and young adults carry high rates. In 2025, 15.1% of adolescents aged 12 to 17 had a past-year major depressive episode, and the adult rate was highest at ages 18 to 25, at 14.2%. For adolescents experiencing depression symptoms, managing stress in teens requires approaches that fit their stage of life. Depression is also common among older adults, though the National Institute on Aging stresses that it is not a normal part of aging.
• People reporting two or more races had the highest past-year rates in 2021, 13.9% of adults and 27.2% of adolescents, according to NIMH’s major depression statistics.
• New mothers face postpartum depression. About 1 in 8 women with a recent live birth report its symptoms, according to CDC. The National Maternal Mental Health Hotline, 1-833-TLC-MAMA (1-833-852-6262), is free, confidential and open 24/7 by call or text, in English and Spanish.
• LGBTQ+ high school students were more likely than their peers to show signs of poor mental health in CDC’s 2023 youth survey. More than 3 in 5 described “persistent feelings of sadness or hopelessness” in the past year, a survey measure that is not a depression diagnosis.

Depression vs. Normal Sadness and How to Tell the Difference

One of the most common misconceptions about depression involves confusing it with normal sadness. While everyone experiences sadness as a natural response to life’s disappointments, clinical depression differs substantially.

Research suggests that genetic, biological, environmental and psychological factors play a role in depression, according to the National Institute of Mental Health. WHO also points to hard life events such as unemployment, bereavement and trauma. A table cannot settle which one you are feeling. A screening can flag symptoms worth a closer look, and a clinician’s evaluation is how a diagnosis is confirmed.

Understanding Depression Stigma and Its Impact

Stigma surrounding depression remains one of the most significant obstacles preventing people from seeking help. Despite growing awareness, harmful misconceptions persist and contribute to unnecessary suffering.

The Reality of Depression Stigma

Depression stigma manifests in multiple ways. Self-stigma occurs when individuals internalize negative beliefs about mental health conditions, leading to shame, self-blame, and reluctance to get help. Public stigma involves societal attitudes and discrimination against people with depression, potentially affecting employment, relationships, and social standing. Structural stigma refers to institutional policies and practices that inadvertently discriminate against those with mental health conditions, such as inadequate insurance coverage for psychiatric care.

Myth vs. Reality About Depression

1. MYTH Depression is just sadness or a bad mood.
   REALITY Depression is a health condition with a defined set of symptoms, including a depressed mood or a loss of interest or pleasure in most activities. It results from a complex interaction of social, psychological and biological factors.
2. MYTH Antidepressants don’t work and are overprescribed.
   REALITY Antidepressants work by changing how the brain produces or uses certain chemicals involved in mood or stress. They usually take 4 to 8 weeks to work, and sleep, appetite and concentration often improve before mood lifts.
3. MYTH People with depression can “snap out of it” with positive thinking.
   REALITY Most people with depression benefit from mental health treatment, which typically means psychotherapy, medication or both. Finding the best treatment may take some trial and error.
4. MYTH Depression is a sign of personal weakness or character flaw.
   REALITY Depression results from complex interactions between genetic, biological, environmental, and psychological factors. It can affect anyone regardless of strength or character.
5. MYTH Talking about depression makes it worse.
   REALITY Open conversations reduce stigma, provide validation, and encourage help-seeking. Silence perpetuates suffering and isolation.

The language we use matters significantly in reducing stigma. Describing someone as “living with depression” rather than being “a depressive,” emphasizing that depression is a medical condition rather than a choice, and sharing stories of recovery all help normalize mental health challenges and encourage help-seeking behavior.

The Importance of Depression Screening

Depression screening is a short set of questions about common symptoms. NIMH lists signs such as a lasting sad, anxious or “empty” mood and loss of interest in hobbies. Others include changes in sleep or appetite and thoughts of death or suicide. Not everyone has every symptom.

National Depression Screening Day, held on a date each organization chooses, brings screening to colleges, communities and organizations. You do not have to wait for it, since screening is available year-round through health care providers and free online tools.

Understanding Screening Tools

The table compares a free online test with the questionnaire clinicians commonly use.

Screening helps identify patterns that warrant professional evaluation. Teens can be screened too. The USPSTF recommends screening adolescents aged 12 to 18 for major depressive disorder. Ask at a teen’s next checkup.

Keep in mind that screening is not diagnosis. Screening results show whether symptoms warrant further evaluation by a mental health professional, who can confirm a diagnosis and discuss treatment options. MHA says its online tools are not diagnostic instruments and encourages sharing results with a physician or health care provider.

What to expect from screening

• A confidential questionnaire about recent symptoms
• No cost for MHA’s online screening tools
• A quick snapshot of your mental health, short of a full assessment
• A positive result leads to further assessment to confirm a diagnosis

If your screening suggests depression, the next step is an evaluation. A clinician will confirm whether depression is present, gauge how severe the symptoms are and check for related conditions. You can book one with us below.

How to Observe Depression Awareness Month

Individuals, organizations and communities can take part in Depression Awareness Month in several ways. The activities below are grouped by who is taking part.

For Individuals

Week 1

• Take a free depression screening at mhascreening.org
• Wear green every day to show support
• Share educational posts using #DepressionAwareness
• Reach out to someone who may be struggling

Week 2, including World Mental Health Day on October 10

• Find out when local groups hold National Depression Screening Day events, since each sets its own date
• Attend a virtual or local awareness event
• Donate to mental health organizations (NAMI, MHA, local chapters)
• Share your story if comfortable using #MyMentalHealthStory
• Check in with three people about their well-being

Week 3

• Educate yourself about depression through reputable sources
• Volunteer with a local mental health organization
• Start a gratitude journal practice
• Schedule a mental health check-in with a clinician
• Organize a green ribbon distribution in your community

Week 4

• Plan how you’ll sustain awareness beyond October
• Join an ongoing support group
• Commit to one mental health advocacy action monthly
• Reflect on what you learned this month

For Workplaces

Leadership Actions

• Host lunch-and-learn sessions about depression and mental health
• Distribute Employee Assistance Program (EAP) information
• Create mental health resource page on company intranet
• Offer flexible work arrangements during October
• Include mental health message in company-wide communications

Team Activities

• Start meetings with brief “mental health moment”
• Organize walking groups during lunch breaks
• Create peer support check-in system
• Display green ribbons in common areas
• Share screening links in team newsletters

For Schools

Classroom Activities

• Age-appropriate discussions about emotions and mental health
• Read books featuring characters dealing with mental health challenges
• Art projects creating green ribbon displays
• Invite mental health professionals for Q&A sessions
• Teach stress management and coping skills

School-Wide Initiatives

• Student-led awareness assembly
• Green ribbon distribution campaign
• Mental health resource fair for students and families
• Screening information for parents (take-home materials)
• Counselor office hours expansion during October

For Communities

Organized Events

• Host free community screening events
• Organize awareness walks or runs
• Facilitate support group meetings
• Screen mental health documentary with discussion
• Town hall on local mental health resources

Partnerships

• Connect with local mental health providers
• Collaborate with libraries for resource displays
• Work with faith communities for supportive programs
• Engage civic organizations in fundraising
• Partner with media for public awareness campaigns

Supporting Others During Depression Awareness Month

Supporting someone with depression starts with recognizing the warning signs and knowing who to call, and this month is a good time to learn both.

Effective Support Strategies

1. Active Listening: Create a safe space for honest conversation without judgment or advice-giving. Sometimes people need to be heard more than they need solutions.
2. Validation: Acknowledge their pain rather than minimizing it with phrases like “just think positive” or “others have it worse.” Their suffering is real and deserves recognition.
3. Practical Assistance: Offer specific help with daily tasks such as grocery shopping, meal preparation, childcare, or household chores. Depression can make routine activities feel overwhelming.
4. Encouraging Treatment: Support professional help-seeking while respecting autonomy. Offer to help research providers, attend appointments, or simply provide transportation.
5. Consistent Presence: Stay connected even when they withdraw. Regular check-ins demonstrate that someone cares, even if they can’t respond immediately.
6. Education: Learn about depression to better understand their experience and recognize when additional support may be needed.

What Not to Do

Avoid telling someone to “snap out of it” or suggesting depression stems from weakness or lack of faith. Don’t take their symptoms personally when they cancel plans or seem distant. Refrain from offering unsolicited advice about treatments you’ve heard about. Never pressure them to socialize or engage before they’re ready. Instead, maintain consistent, caring presence while they work toward recovery.

Recognizing Crisis Situations

The behaviors below may be signs that someone is thinking about suicide, according to NIMH. If they apply to you or someone you know, get help as soon as possible, especially if the behavior is new or has increased recently. For more on warning signs and how to help, our guide on September is National Suicide Awareness Month offers additional resources.

• Talking about wanting to die
• Talking about feeling great guilt or shame
• Talking about being a burden to others
• Feeling empty, hopeless, trapped or having no reason to live
• Feeling extremely sad, anxious, agitated or full of rage
• Feeling unbearable pain
• Making a plan or researching ways to die
• Withdrawing from friends, saying goodbye, giving away important items or making a will
• Taking dangerous risks
• Having extreme mood swings
• Eating or sleeping more or less
• Using drugs or alcohol more often

If someone shows these warning signs, act now.

• Be there, and don’t leave them alone if they are in crisis
• Ask them directly whether they are thinking about suicide
• Help keep them safe by putting time and distance between them and lethal means such as firearms or medications
• Call or text 988 to reach the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline, or text HOME to 741741 to reach Crisis Text Line
• Call 911 or go to the nearest hospital emergency department if their life is in danger
• Contact their mental health provider if they have one
• Follow up afterward to see how they are doing

It’s better to err on the side of caution, so if you’re concerned, reach out for professional guidance right away.

Resources and Where to Find Help

These national organizations offer free screening, information and support by phone, text or online.

National Organizations and Hotlines

1. Mental Health America (MHA)
   mhascreening.org
   Free, quick and confidential online screening tools, including a depression test based on the PHQ-9.
2. National Alliance on Mental Illness
   HelpLine 1-800-950-NAMI (6264), Monday to Friday, 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. ET, excluding federal holidays
   A free, confidential nationwide service offering emotional support, mental health information and resources.
3. Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA)
   National Helpline 1-800-662-HELP (4357), available 24/7
   A free, confidential treatment referral and information service in English and Spanish.
4. 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline
   Call or text 988, or chat at 988lifeline.org, 24/7
   Free, confidential conversations with a 988 Lifeline counselor, with text and chat also available in Spanish.
5. Crisis Text Line
   Text HOME (or HOLA) to 741741, 24/7
   Free, confidential support from a live volunteer crisis counselor.

Professional Care

If you’re unsure whether you need psychiatric care or therapy, understanding the difference between psychiatrists and therapists can help you make an informed decision about the type of care that’s right for you.

At Washington Behavioral Medicine Associates, our team treats depression through psychiatric evaluation and medication management, therapy, and options for depression that hasn’t responded to treatment. Depression treatment typically involves psychotherapy, medication or both. Finding the best fit may take some trial and error.

If you’re noticing symptoms of depression in yourself or in someone close to you, you can reach out for a confidential consultation. Bring your questions, including what a screening result means and what an evaluation would involve. The next-step box below explains how to start.

Keeping Awareness Going Beyond October

Depression Awareness Month creates valuable momentum for education and stigma reduction, but mental health advocacy must extend throughout the entire year. Consider these strategies for maintaining awareness and support beyond October.

Personal Commitments

• Schedule mental health check-ins with a clinician
• Maintain connections with support groups discovered in October
• Continue following mental health organizations on social media
• Set monthly reminders to reach out to someone who may be struggling
• Practice daily mental health maintenance through exercise, sleep, and stress management

Ongoing Advocacy

• Contact legislators about mental health policy and funding
• Support mental health organizations through regular donations
• Volunteer with local chapters year-round
• Share educational content beyond awareness months
• Challenge stigma when encountered in daily life

Workplace Integration

• Advocate for sustained mental health programming
• Normalize mental health discussions in meetings
• Support colleagues who share struggles
• Promote work-life balance policies
• Keep mental health resources visible

Community Building

• Attend support group meetings regularly
• Participate in year-round mental health events
• Build relationships with local providers
• Create informal peer support networks
• Organize quarterly mental health activities

Pick one practice from each list and put it on your calendar for November.

Taking Action Today

This October, you can use Depression Awareness Month to take one concrete step. Whether you’re struggling yourself, supporting someone else, or simply learning more about this widespread condition, your participation in awareness efforts helps mental health get the attention and resources it deserves.

Most people, even those with the most severe depression, can get better with treatment.

Ready to take the first step toward better mental health?

If you’re experiencing depression symptoms or know someone who is, you can explore our mental health services or schedule a confidential consultation. Our team at Washington Behavioral Medicine Associates includes psychiatrists and therapists who offer evidence-based care that may help you feel better.

You deserve support, and we’re here to help you find the right next step.