May Matters: Honoring Both Mental Health and Stroke Recovery Awareness
- Maureen Harrop
- 11 minutes ago
- 3 min read
May is a powerful month for our community — it holds space for two important awareness movements that deeply intersect: Mental Health Awareness Month and Stroke Awareness Month.
At Stroke Recovery Solutions, we know that recovery from stroke is never just physical. It is emotional. It is mental. It is deeply personal. And it lasts long after the hospital stay ends.
The Unseen Side of Stroke: Mental Health
While most people recognize the physical challenges of stroke — speech loss, mobility issues, fatigue — the mental health impact often remains invisible and unspoken.
Depression, anxiety, PTSD, grief, and even identity confusion are incredibly common in survivors. In fact, up to one-third of stroke survivors experience depression within the first year of recovery (National Stroke Association). For caregivers, the emotional toll can be just as heavy.
But here’s the truth: There is no health without mental health.
Stroke Is More Common Than You Think
Every 40 seconds, someone in the United States has a stroke. It is the fifth leading cause of death and a leading cause of long-term disability (CDC). And yet, many people still don’t know the signs of stroke or how preventable many strokes actually are.
This May, we're encouraging everyone to learn the warning signs — and not just for your loved ones. Strokes can happen at any age. In fact, 1 in 7 strokes now occurs in adults under 50.
The more we know, the more we can prevent.The more we speak, the more we can support.
Why These Two Awareness Months Belong Together
For survivors, stroke recovery and mental health are not separate journeys — they’re two sides of the same path.
Whether it's rebuilding confidence after physical changes, facing isolation or fear, or navigating a loss of independence, the emotional and mental impacts of stroke recovery are very real. They deserve care, resources, and open conversation.
Caregivers, too, carry an emotional weight. Guilt, burnout, and exhaustion are common — and often go unacknowledged. Mental health support isn't just for survivors. It’s for everyone walking this road.
What We’re Focusing on This Month
Throughout May, we'll be sharing:
Educational posts about stroke signs, risk factors, and prevention
Mental health affirmations and tools for emotional resilience
Survivor stories and community wisdom
Facts and encouragement grounded in real experience
Because awareness is more than a moment — it’s a movement.
Explore More
Looking for tools, encouragement, or survivor resources? Take a look around our site — you’ll find support for every step of the journey.
Have a topic you'd like us to cover? We’d love to hear from you. Email us at maureenharrop@strokerecoverysolutions.com and let us know what matters most to you.
You are not alone — and your voice matters here.
Final Words
If you or someone you love has experienced a stroke, we want you to know this: You are not alone.
Recovery is not linear, and it's not easy — but it is possible.And here at Stroke Recovery Solutions, you are seen, supported, and celebrated.
Let’s make this May a month of visibility, education, and hope — for both the body and the mind.
Sources:
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
Stroke Facts:https://www.cdc.gov/stroke/facts.htm
Statistic: “Every 40 seconds, someone in the United States has a stroke.”
National Stroke Association
Post-Stroke Depression Estimates:Note: The National Stroke Association has merged with the American Stroke Association, but this figure (up to 1/3 of survivors) has been widely cited.See:https://www.stroke.org/en/life-after-stroke/emotional-and-behavioral-changes/post-stroke-depression
American Heart Association / American Stroke Association
Mental Health and Stroke:https://www.stroke.org/en/about-stroke/effects-of-stroke/emotional-effects-of-stroke
Young stroke statistic:https://www.stroke.org/en/about-stroke/stroke-in-adults/stroke-in-young-people(“1 in 7 strokes occurs in people between the ages of 15 and 49”)
World Health Organization (WHO)
“There is no health without mental health.”— Quote originally attributed to Dr. David Satcher, former U.S. Surgeon General, and reiterated in WHO mental health frameworkshttps://www.who.int/news/item/15-05-2013-there-is-no-health-without-mental-health
Comentários