May is Mental Health Awareness Month!

May is Mental Health Awareness Month, a tradition that began in 1949 by the National Association for Mental Health (now Mental Health America).

When researching Mental Health Awareness Month, I came across two powerful themes for 2025:

• "Turn Awareness into Action" (Mental Health America)
• "In Every Story, There's Strength" (National Alliance on Mental Illness).
   

These two themes remind us that our experiences with mental health, including vicarious trauma or secondary traumatic stress, are unique to each of us. In the forensic sciences, work-related stress can lead to emotional burnout, physical illness (e.g., high blood pressure), and psychological effects like PTSD, depression, anxiety, and hypervigilance. These emotional and physical reactions have no set timeline or expiration date — they may surface after one difficult case or after decades on the job.

What we do know is that conversations around mental health need to start early — before symptoms appear. We must create a culture where seeking support is normalized and encouraged. Mental health services should be viewed not as a last resort but as an essential part of how we care for ourselves and build resilience.

It is through our shared stories that we can find strength, and we can continue to bring awareness and drive change. The American Academy of Forensic Sciences Ad Hoc Committee on Vicarious Trauma is committed to promoting mental wellness in the forensic science community. Many of us entered this field to make a difference — but to help others, we must first care for ourselves.

Check in with yourself. Check on you friends and colleagues. And don't hesitate to start the conversation.

Happy Mental Health Awareness Month!