May is Mental Health Awareness Month, a time for our community to learn, connect and take steps toward feeling better. Mental health is an important part of our overall health, and everyone deserves support and care.
This year, we want to remind you that small actions can make a big difference. We may not be able to control everything that happens in our lives, but we can build habits and supports that help us feel stronger, calmer and more hopeful. This doesn’t mean that every day will be perfect, it means taking steps to have more moments of wellness and fewer moments of struggle.
At the Fairfax–Falls Church Community Services Board (CSB), our Wellness, Health Promotion and Prevention team teaches the 8 Dimensions of Wellness, which show how different parts of our lives support our mental health:
Image credit: Virginia Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services
Emotional: Noticing, understanding and managing feelingsSocial: Staying connected with supportive peoplePhysical: Moving our bodies and caring for our healthEnvironmental: Creating safe and comfortable spacesFinancial: Managing money in ways that reduce stressOccupational: Finding meaning in work, school or activitiesIntellectual: Learning new things and keeping our minds activeSpiritual: Finding purpose, values or inner peace
These eight areas work together. When one area improves, the others often grow stronger too. For example, taking a walk (physical wellness) with a friend (social wellness) can also boost emotional wellness. Small steps count.
During Mental Health Awareness Month, the CSB encourages you to take at least one step toward incorporating these dimensions of wellness into your daily life. This could be checking in with a loved one, taking a break when you feel overwhelmed, joining a community program or learning about local resources. Our team offers workshops, tools and information that make mental health easier to understand and talk about.
Abbey May, the CSB’s Deputy Director of Clinical Services, shares this message: “Mental health is an essential part of overall wellbeing. By speaking about it openly, we reduce stigma and create space for people to access the support they deserve. Together, we build wellness—one conversation, one moment of care, and one step at a time.”
Mental health challenges are common, and many people recover with support. If you or someone you care about needs help, the CSB is here to support you.
If you need emotional support, call, text or chat 988 any time, day or night.
To access these services, call the CSB’s Entry, Assessment and Referral Unit at 703-383-8500 TTY 771. They are open Monday-Thursday, 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., and Friday, 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
For emergency mental health or substance use issues, walk-in services are available 24/7 at the Sharon Bulova Center for Community Health or call 703-573-5679 TTY 711.
Contact for media inquiries: CSBCommunications@fairfaxcounty.gov