June is a meaningful month for health, healing, and community. It includes PTSD Awareness Month, Men’s Health Month, National Immigrant Heritage Month, and Juneteenth on June 19. These observances remind us that mental health is connected to many parts of life: trauma, stress, culture, family, identity, history, physical health, and access to support. PTSD can affect Veterans and civilians, and effective treatment can help people reduce symptoms and improve quality of life. Juneteenth marks June 19, 1865, when Union troops arrived in Galveston, Texas and announced freedom for enslaved African Americans in Texas. National Immigrant Heritage Month recognizes the shared diversity and immigrant stories that shape the United States. Men’s Health Month is also a reminder that caring for your health includes caring for your mental and emotional well-being.
Many people live with stress, sadness, grief, anxiety, or emotional exhaustion. Sometimes these feelings pass with rest, support, and time. Other times, they begin to interfere with daily life. You do not have to wait until things feel unbearable to ask for help.
You may benefit from support if sadness is lasting longer than usual
Everyone has difficult days. But when sadness, hopelessness, or loss of interest lasts for days or weeks, it may be time to talk with a mental health professional.
You may notice that you are:
- Waking up sad, empty, or emotionally heavy most mornings
- Losing interest in people, hobbies, work, school, or activities you used to enjoy
- Pulling away from family, friends, or responsibilities
- Feeling guilty, worthless, or like a burden
- Having trouble sleeping, sleeping too much, or feeling tired all the time
- Having difficulty concentrating or making decisions
The National Institute of Mental Health explains that major depression can involve depressed mood or loss of interest most of the time for at least two weeks, especially when symptoms interfere with daily activities. You do not need to diagnose yourself before reaching out. If your emotional pain is affecting your life, that is a valid reason to seek support.
You may need help when stress or anxiety starts taking over
Stress is common, especially when people are facing financial pressure, family concerns, work demands, health issues, discrimination, grief, community violence, or major life changes. The CDC notes that learning healthy ways to cope with stress can support mental health.
Anxiety becomes more concerning when it does not go away, feels hard to control, or starts limiting your life. NIMH explains that anxiety disorders involve more than occasional worry or fear; anxiety may be persistent, happen in many situations, and get worse over time.
Consider reaching out if stress or anxiety is causing you to:
- Avoid work, school, appointments, or social situations
- Feel constantly overwhelmed or on edge
- Struggle to get out of bed or complete daily tasks
- Experience panic, racing thoughts, or ongoing fear
- Have headaches, stomach problems, muscle tension, or sleep issues
- Feel like you are “just surviving” instead of living
A therapist or counselor can help you understand what is happening, identify triggers, build coping skills, and create a plan that feels manageable.
You may need support after trauma or PTSD symptoms
Trauma can come from many experiences, including violence, abuse, serious accidents, medical emergencies, sudden loss, disasters, military service, racism, discrimination, or unsafe living conditions. After trauma, people may feel anxious, sad, angry, numb, alert, or disconnected. NIMH explains that PTSD may be diagnosed when symptoms last for an extended period after a traumatic event and interfere with daily life, work, or relationships.
Signs that trauma may still be affecting you include:
- Nightmares or unwanted memories
- Avoiding reminders of what happened
- Feeling constantly alert or unsafe
- Irritability, anger, or emotional numbness
- Trouble sleeping or concentrating
- Feeling disconnected from yourself or others
- Using alcohol or other substances to cope
PTSD Awareness Month is a reminder that trauma is not a personal weakness. Treatment can help, and healing is possible.
You may need help when mood changes feel hard to manage
Mood changes can happen when we are stressed, tired, grieving, or overwhelmed. But if your emotions feel intense, unpredictable, or difficult to control, professional support may help.
Warning signs can include rapid or dramatic shifts in mood, increased irritability, withdrawal from others, major sleep or appetite changes, and difficulty with personal care.
It may be time to reach out if mood changes are affecting your relationships, parenting, work, school, safety, or sense of control. A mental health professional can help you better understand what is underneath those changes and what support may help.
You may need therapy when daily life feels harder than it used to
Sometimes the clearest sign is not one specific symptom. It is the feeling that life has become harder to manage.
You may benefit from therapy if you are:
- Missing work, school, or important responsibilities
- Struggling to care for yourself or your family
- Feeling emotionally numb or disconnected
- Losing motivation or hope
- Feeling exhausted even when there is no clear medical reason
- Using substances, food, isolation, or anger to cope
- Feeling like you cannot talk honestly with anyone in your life
The American Psychological Association notes that difficulty carrying out everyday activities, such as concentrating at work or school, can be a reason to consider professional support.
Please seek immediate help if you are thinking about harming yourself
If you are having thoughts of hurting yourself, ending your life, or harming someone else, you deserve immediate support. Call or text 988 to reach the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline. The 988 Lifeline provides free, confidential, judgment-free support by call, text, or chat.
If there is a medical emergency or immediate danger, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room.
What therapy can offer
Therapy is not about being judged or told what to do. A client-centered approach means your voice, experiences, goals, culture, and strengths matter.
A mental health professional can help you:
- Understand your thoughts, emotions, and patterns
- Build coping skills for stress, anxiety, depression, or trauma
- Improve communication and relationships
- Process grief, trauma, or major life changes
- Create realistic goals for healing and recovery
- Connect with additional care, such as medication support or substance use treatment, when needed
Trauma-informed care emphasizes safety, trust, collaboration, empowerment, and recovery-focused support. At New Brunswick Counseling Center and Burlington Comprehensive Counseling, care is designed to be judgment-free, client-centered, and trauma-informed.
You do not have to wait until things get worse
Asking for help is not a sign of failure. It is a step toward understanding what you need and finding support that fits your life.
If you or someone you love is struggling, New Brunswick Counseling Center is here to help. To schedule a telephone screening, call 732-723-4271 for New Brunswick or 609-372-2043 for Mount Holly.
For immediate crisis support, call or text 988. In a medical emergency, call 911.
Resources
National Institute of Mental Health, CDC, SAMHSA/988 Lifeline, American Psychological Association, American Psychiatric Association, VA National Center for PTSD, Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, American Library Association, Men’s Health Network, and New Brunswick Counseling Center.