May Is Mental Health Awareness Month

Why We Must Talk About Mental Health and Substance Use Together

At GreenLifeIOP, we treat people struggling with Substance Use Disorders. At the same time, we believe in treating the whole person. That means not just focusing on substance use, but addressing the mental health challenges that often accompany it. May is Mental Health Awareness Month—a time to bring critical attention to the mental health struggles millions of Americans face and the deep connection between mental health and substance use disorders.

Mental Health and Substance Use: Two Sides of the Same Coin

Mental health and substance use disorders are often interconnected, and one can frequently fuel the other. This is known as a co-occurring disorder or dual diagnosis. According to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA):

• 1 in 5 U.S. adults experiences a mental illness each year.

• Nearly 1 in 10 adults reports struggling with both a mental health disorder and a substance use disorder.

• Over 17 million Americans experienced both a mental illness and a substance use disorder in 2022 alone.

  
  

Mental health disorders are real, diagnosable medical conditions that affect a person’s thinking, feeling, mood, or behavior—just like physical illnesses affect the body. Similarly, Substance Use Disorder is a chronic, relapsing medical illness—not a moral failing or lack of willpower.

People often turn to drugs or alcohol as a way to cope with symptoms of anxiety, depression, PTSD, trauma, or other mental health conditions. And similarly, long-term substance use can actually worsen—or even trigger—mental health issues. It's a vicious cycle, and without integrated treatment, many are left feeling trapped.

Reducing the Stigma: A Shared Responsibility

Despite how common these challenges are, stigma continues to be one of the biggest barriers to seeking help. Mental illness and addiction are often misunderstood, judged, or minimized. This leads many individuals to suffer in silence, feeling ashamed or fearing they’ll be labeled as weak or broken.

At GreenLifeIOP, we see our clients' strength and resilience every day. Seeking help isn’t a sign of weakness—it’s one of the bravest things a person can do. This Mental Health Awareness Month, we’re calling on everyone—families, employers, community leaders, and friends—to help break the stigma.

Here are a few ways we can all make a difference:

• Talk openly about mental health and addiction.

• Recover out loud talk about your own and/or other's road to recovery.

• Educate yourself and others about the realities of these conditions.

• Use respectful language that doesn’t shame or blame.

• Support access to integrated care for both mental health and substance use.

  
  

Healing Happens When We Treat the Whole Person

Lasting recovery requires more than just addressing substance use—it demands compassionate, comprehensive care that also includes mental health support. Our team is trained to identify and treat co-occurring disorders through evidence-based therapies, and ongoing support tailored to each individual’s needs.

If you or someone you love is struggling, you are not alone. Mental health and substance use issues are common—and treatable. Recovery is possible, and it starts with a single step, reaching out for help.

Let’s use this May to advocate, educate, and support. Together, we can create a world where mental health is prioritized, substance use disorders are treated with compassion, and everyone feels empowered to seek help without fear or shame.

You matter. Your mental health matters. Let’s talk about it.