Episode 5: The Problem with Mental Health Awareness Month

Emily and Essence host an audio-only episode of Talking Shoppe, noting they skipped recording last week to protect their mental health during Mental Health Awareness Month. After a “work wife, work nemesis, work overlord game. They discuss how awareness months often stay aspirational and surface-level, arguing that mental health needs mobilization focused on access, systems, and education. They highlight barriers like waitlists, cost, poor-quality care, and insurance changes, and emphasize grassroots advocacy and year-round focus. They share underrated coping tools and overrated approaches. They close out this episode with their weekly R.E.P.O.R.T