Here is a comprehensive list of Addiction and Mental Health Awareness Events that are recognized each month throughout the year.
January Addiction Events
Dry January
Dry January is a month-long public health challenge to take a break from alcohol use and be mindful of regular drinking habits.
It is viewed as a wellness reset and can help start conversations about mindful drinking, alcohol-free socializing, and behavior change.
Substance Use Disorder Treatment Month
Substance Use Disorder Treatment Month highlights the importance of evidence-based treatment for substance addiction and promotes the message that recovery is possible.
It also recognizes treatment providers, peer support groups, and families working to reduce the stigma surrounding getting help.
February Mental Health Awareness Events
Random Acts of Kindness Day and RAK Week
Random Acts of Kindness Day and RAK Week promotes simple, spontaneous acts of kindness that build connection and improve mood and well-being. Encouraging empathy and gratitude is helpful for mental health recovery.
The Random Acts of Kindness Foundation provides ideas and free tools for schools, workplaces, and individuals to participate.
Eating Disorders Awareness Week
Eating Disorders Awareness Week raises awareness of eating disorders as a mental health issue that affects individuals of all ages, and genders.
Many campaigns focus on early recognition, body image, access to treatment, and challenging stereotypes that keep people from seeking help.
March Events
Self Harm Awareness Month (Self-Injury)
Self Harm Awareness Month promotes education about self-injury, warning signs, stigma reduction, and resources for support.
Events help communities approach self-harm with compassion rather than judgment and encourages early intervention.
National Inhalants & Poisons Awareness Week (3rd Week in March)
National Inhalants & Poisons Awareness Week is observed during the third week of March and focuses on the dangers of misusing inhalants (aerosols, solvents, and gases) and exposure to household poisons.
Schools, parents, and prevention groups share information to help young people recognize the risks and resist experimentation.
World Bipolar Day (March 30)
World Bipolar Day is observed every year on March 30 to increase understanding of bipolar disorder and reduce the stigma through education.
It encourages people living with bipolar disorder to share their stories and challenge stereotypes, while emphasizing the importance of diagnosis and treatment.
Spiritual Wellness Month
Spiritual Wellness Month encourages reflecting on meaning, purpose, values, and connection through religion, faith, nature, meditation, service to others, or personal practice.
In behavioral health settings, spiritual wellness is often viewed as a positive aspect of recovery and growth.
Vaping Awareness Month
Vaping Awareness Month increases attention on the health risks of vaping, nicotine dependence, and youth prevention.
Healthcare education campaigns focus on lung health, brain development, screening, and helping teens and adults quit vaping.
Brain Injury Awareness Month
Brain Injury Awareness Month raises public awareness about traumatic and other brain injuries, including the cognitive, emotional, and behavioral effects, as well as substance use risk.
It is especially relevant to mental health recovery because brain injuries can affect mood, impulse control, memory, and daily functioning.
April Awareness Events
Alcohol Awareness Month
Alcohol Awareness Month helps individuals and communities recognize unhealthy drinking patterns, the risks of alcohol use disorder, screening tools, and available treatment options.
Campaigns address binge drinking, underage use, the connection between alcohol and mental health, and prevention methods.
Stress Awareness Month
Stress Awareness Month in April highlights how chronic stress affects mental and physical health including burnout, sleep, anxiety, depression, and substance use.
Campaigns promote coping strategies like exercise, relaxation techniques, social support, and ways to seek treatment.
National Prescription Drug Take Back Day (April)
National Prescription Drug Take Back Day is a nationwide event for people to safely dispose of unused or expired medications at authorized collection sites to reduce misuse, diversion, and accidental poisoning.
The U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) coordinates the campaign with local law enforcement and pharmacies in late April and October.
National Fentanyl Awareness Day (April 29)
National Fentanyl Awareness Day is observed on April 29 to raise awareness about illicit fentanyl, counterfeit pills, overdose risk, and prevention approaches.
Campaigns are aimed at youth and families, and stress the importance of harm reduction, naloxone (Narcan), drug checking, and rapid emergency response.
May Mental Health Awareness Events
Mental Health Awareness Month
Mental Health Awareness Month is observed every year in May to raise awareness of mental illness, emotional wellbeing, recovery, and support services.
It emphasizes that mental health is as important as physical health and recovery is possible.
Borderline Personality Disorder Awareness Month
Borderline Personality Disorder Awareness Month promotes education about emotional dysregulation, relationship instability, treatment options, and overcoming the stigma. People with BPD can improve significantly with appropriate care.
National Children’s Mental Health Awareness Week
Children’s Mental Health Awareness Week is held in May to highlight emotional and behavioral health of children and adolescents, stressing early intervention and family support.
Schools, pediatric practices, and advocacy groups share resources on trauma, learning differences, and youth suicide prevention.
World No Tobacco Day (May 31)
World No Tobacco Day is a global awareness campaign led by the World Health Organization (WHO) to increase attention about the health risks of tobacco and nicotine products.
June Events
PTSD Awareness Month
PTSD Awareness Month raises attention about post-traumatic stress disorder in veterans, survivors of violence, first responders, and others affected by trauma.
Campaigns focus on symptoms, treatment options, care support, and the message that PTSD is treatable through therapies like trauma-focused CBT and EMDR.
Men’s Health Month
Men’s Health Month encourages men to pay attention to both physical and mental health, including regular screening for depression, substance use, stress, and suicide risk. It challenges men’s stigma surrounding vulnerability and treatment.
International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking – World Drug Day (June 26)
International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking, or World Drug Day, is recognized on June 26 by the United Nations to bring attention to the global drug trade and illicit trafficking.
It targets prevention, treatment, recovery, and harm reduction related to illicit drugs.
July Events
National Minority Mental Health Awareness Month
National Minority Mental Health Awareness Month recognizes mental health challenges experienced by racial, ethnic, and minority communities, including disparities in access, quality of care, cultural stigma, and social inequities.
It is recognized in the U.S. by the FDA, Office of Minority Health, and state and local agencies.
National Women Touched by Addiction Day (July 23)
Women Touched by Addiction Day on June 23 honors women directly affected by addiction themselves, or through a loved one, by recognizing their challenges and resilience in recovery.
August Events
National Fentanyl Prevention and Awareness Day (August 21)
National Fentanyl Prevention and Awareness Day on August 21 educates communities about the dangers of fentanyl, counterfeit pills, illicit drug contamination, and overdose prevention.
Public health agencies and harm reduction groups collaborate on events and campaigns to promote youth prevention and naloxone (Narcan) access.
International Overdose Awareness Day (August 31)
International Overdose Awareness Day is held every year on August 31 to remember people lost to overdose and support their families and those who grieve them.
It also promotes overdose prevention, stigma reduction, naloxone distribution, and stronger links to treatment and recovery support.
September Events
National Recovery Month
National Recovery Month in September celebrates people in recovery and promotes evidence-based treatment and recovery support services. It began in 1989 through SAMHSA and continues as a major national awareness campaign involving many partner organizations.
Pain Awareness Month
Pain Awareness Month encourages education about acute and chronic pain, pain management, safe prescription medication use, and the way pain affects quality of life and mental health.
FASD Awareness Month
FASD Awareness Month raises awareness about fetal alcohol spectrum disorders and the detrimental effects of prenatal alcohol use on development, behavior, and learning. It emphasizes prevention, support, and early recognition of affected individuals.
FASD Awareness Day (September 9)
FASD Awareness Day on September 9 aims to prevent prenatal alcohol exposure and support people living with fetal alcohol spectrum disorders.
Self Care Awareness Month
Self Care Month motivates people to practice habits that support mental, emotional, and physical wellbeing, such as rest, nutrition, movement, setting boundaries, and stress management.
Suicide Prevention Month
Suicide Prevention Month is dedicated to promoting awareness, hope, and prevention for anyone touched by suicide.
Campaigns strive to educate the public about the warning signs, crisis resources, the importance of connectedness, and talking openly and safely about suicide.
National Suicide Prevention Week
National Suicide Prevention Week in September is a weeklong campaign of suicide education, outreach, remembrance events, and prevention. The week is a time to learn about the risk factors, check in on others, and share crisis support resources.
World Suicide Prevention Day (September 10)
World Suicide Prevention Day is an international event to support education, advocacy, and reduce the stigma of suicide prevention. Connecting with others, listening, and improving access to care can reduce the number of suicide deaths.
National Addiction Professionals Day (September 20)
National Addiction Professionals Day recognizes counselors, therapists, case managers, peers, physicians, nurses, and others who support prevention, treatment, and recovery.
October Addiction and Mental Health Awareness Events
Depression Awareness Month
The goal of Depression Awareness Month in October is to recognize the signs of depression, encourage people to seek treatment, and reduce the stigma surrounding this common, serious condition.
Depression can affect anyone but is treatable with proper support. Asking for help is a sign of strength.
Substance Abuse Prevention Month
Substance Abuse Prevention Month advocates strategies that reduce substance misuse before it starts, especially among the youth population.
Annual themes are centered around family communication, school-based prevention, community education, and positive coping skills.
National Depression Screening Day (1st Week of October)
National Depression Screening Day is observed during the first full week of October as a day for people to take advantage of online or in-person screening tools and seek a professional evaluation for any related symptoms.
Early identification and care intervention offer the best chance for successful recovery.
World Mental Health Day – (October 10)
World Mental Health Day positions mental health as a public health priority. It is led by the World Federation for Mental Health and supported by the WHO to promote education, awareness, reduce stigma, and improve access to mental health care.
Red Ribbon Week
Red Ribbon Week is a national campaign that encourages youth drug prevention through school and community activities. It is widely recognized in the U.S. as a prevention and education week centered on healthy choices and substance-free living.
National Prescription Drug Take Back Day in October
The Fall Drug Take Back Day event in October encourages safe disposal of medications to prevent non-medical use and household harm. Like the spring event in April, it is coordinated nationally by the DEA.
National Addiction Treatment Week
National Addiction Treatment Week highlights the value of addiction treatment services and celebrates the clinicians, peers, and programs that help people enter and sustain recovery.
It is also an opportunity to promote evidence-based care and reduce shame around seeking treatment.
National Youth Substance Use Prevention Month
National Youth Substance Use Prevention Month focuses on preventing substance use through education, family involvement, community support, and early intervention. The campaigns are targeted toward children, teens, and young adults.
November Events
National Gratitude Month
National Gratitude Month encourages daily gratitude practices to support emotional wellbeing, social connection, and resilience. It is a helpful tool for mental health and addiction recovery.
World Kindness Day (November 13)
World Kindness Day on November 13 was started by the World Kindness Movement to promote kindness across cultures and communities. Activities often include community service, school projects, and campaigns highlighting everyday kindness.
Great American Smokeout (3rd Thursday in November)
The Great American Smoke Out is held on the third Thursday in November to help people make a plan to quit smoking or take the first step to stopping tobacco use.
It is organized by the American Cancer Society and is one of the most well-known cessation observances in the United States.
December Events
National Impaired Driving Prevention Month
National Impaired Driving Prevention Month raises awareness about the dangers of driving under the influence of alcohol, drugs, and other substances.
It stresses the importance of planning sober transportation, using designated drivers or rideshares, and impaired driving laws around the holidays.
Importance of Addiction and Mental Health Awareness Events
Addiction and mental health awareness events help educate communities and families about the dangers of substance use disorders and the risk of untreated mental health conditions.
Identifying the symptoms of addiction, depression, anxiety, PTSD, and other issues is only half the battle.
Overcoming the stigma, asking for help, and following through with proper treatment is needed for recovery to be successful.
Awareness events offer great resources for learning about these important health issues and finding help and support for individuals and communities to thrive.
