May is Mental Health Awareness Month, dedicated to prioritizing our well-being and promoting open conversations about mental health. At the University of Connecticut, we recognize the importance of mental health and its impact on our personal and professional lives.
As we observe Mental Health Awareness Month and this year’s theme, “More Good Days, Together,” we encourage you to pause and think about what makes a day feel workable or genuinely okay for you. A “good day” isn’t always defined by big accomplishments or high energy. Sometimes it’s a day that feels steady, manageable, or simply less heavy than the last. What qualifies as good can shift throughout your life, and only you can determine what that looks like.
Wherever you are in this moment, keep in mind that support exists across our university community, better days can return, and you don’t have to navigate challenges on your own.
“A good day includes…being with people I love, or having free time to do what I wish on my own.”
This May:
- Give Yourself a Pause
Build brief pauses into your day to reset, check in with yourself, and create space for steadier moments. - Reach Out Intentionally
Strengthen everyday connections — a quick conversation, a supportive check-in, or simply letting someone know you appreciate them - Use What Supports You
Lean on the tools, routines, and resources that help you feel grounded, and make them part of your regular rhythm.
How We Can Start Building More Good Days, Together
Define What “Good” Means to You
Taking a moment to ask yourself, “What does a good day look like for me?” can be a powerful check-in. Your answer might be simple, like having a bit more energy, feeling connected to someone you care about, or getting a moment of quiet. It might also shift from week to week or season to season, and that’s completely normal. What feels “good” isn’t fixed — it evolves as your life, responsibilities, and needs change.
Some days, imagining what a good day looks like can feel out of reach. When that happens, it doesn’t mean you’re doing anything wrong. It often means you’re carrying a lot, and your mind and body are asking for support. Reaching out — whether to a colleague, a friend, a health professional, or a campus resource — is a sign of strength, not a burden.
If having good days feels hard right now, you’re not alone. Support exists, and there are people and resources ready to help you find steadier ground.
Affirmations for More Good Days and Why They Work.
Journal Prompts for More Good Days
MHA 2026 Resource List
Care for Your Whole Self
You can’t meaningfully separate mental health from physical health — they shape each other every day. Sleep, stress, relationships, nutrition, our environment, and other health conditions all influence how we feel mentally, and our mental health affects them in return.
Many of the factors that shape our well‑being are outside our control. Even so, paying attention to the small things we can influence makes a real difference. Maybe it’s choosing movement that feels good, staying connected to the people around you, or simply remembering to hydrate. Small wins add up.
It also helps to notice what your body is trying to tell you. Physical symptoms can sometimes be signals that your mind needs care or support.
Movement for Mental Health
How to Feel Better about Yourself
Find Your Path
Mental health isn’t one-size-fits-all. What supports someone else may not be what you need — and that’s completely okay.
This May, give yourself space to notice what genuinely brings you joy, helps you feel grounded, or restores your energy. Many of us are quick to prioritize others or push through without pausing to consider what we need to feel well. But activities that help you unwind — whether it’s a hobby, a creative outlet, or simply a moment of rest — are essential parts of caring for your mental health.
Find What Brings you Pleasure, Peace & Pride (Worksheet)
Making Lifestyle Changes (Worksheet)
Why Hobbies are Good for Your Mental Health (Worksheet)
FINDING HELP
Mental Health America Resources
The Employee Assistance Program is fully operational and available to any UConn employee or family member. For 24/7 Assistance, Call 1-800-676-HELP (4357).
Lyra Health gives employees quick, confidential access to mental health support at no cost, including coaching, therapy, self-care tools, and 24/7 care navigation.
Getting Help Resources for Behavioral Health from CT Clearinghouse, a program of the CT Center for Prevention, Wellness and Recovery
Take a Mental Health Test
If having good days feels hard, know that help is available and that you are not alone. Check on your mental health with a free, quick, anonymous test at mhascreening.org.