May Is Over, But Our Mental Health Isn’t
As May comes to a close, so does Mental Health Awareness Month. But for Black Women, the conversation around mental health doesn’t end with the month. It lives in our bodies, our breath, our daily lives.
We carry so much. We navigate a world that too often asks us to be invincible, even when we're exhausted. We hold the joy, the grief, the brilliance, and the burnout.
That’s why at Exhale, we don’t see May as the finish line. We see it as a reminder. A pause. A collective breath in a long journey toward healing that we deserve every single day of the year.
And mental health isn’t only about healing. It’s also about maintenance, tending to ourselves regularly, not just when we’re in crisis. Just like we care for our bodies with food, sleep, and movement, our emotional and mental well-being needs consistent attention too. It’s the quiet, everyday tending that keeps us grounded.
In our State of Self-Care for Black Women report, over 1,000 Black women told us loud and clear:
77% said there’s a need for resources tailored specifically to their needs.
Over 70% experience high levels of daily stress.
Many named racial trauma, stereotypes, and discrimination as key contributors to their stress—both in the workplace and in their personal lives.
This isn’t just a wellness issue. It’s a justice issue. It’s a call to action. And it’s a call inward, to keep choosing ourselves.
So, what do we do when the spotlight on mental health fades? We keep going. We keep reclaiming moments of peace. We keep turning to practices that remind us our well-being matters.
Whether it's through a guided breath in the Exhale App, journaling in silence, reaching out to a therapist, or simply choosing to pause, your care is valid and necessary. Not just in May, but always.
If you're looking for support beyond the app, check out The Loveland Foundation. It’s a beautiful resource offering therapy assistance to Black women and girls.
May is over, but we’re still here. Still breathing. Still healing. Together.
