Mental Health Awareness Month is a reminder that care, connection and support can make all the difference.
May is Mental Health Awareness Month, a time to recognize that mental health is an essential part of overall well-being—and that no one should have to navigate challenges alone.
Across our communities, more people are experiencing stress, anxiety and emotional strain. According to the National Alliance on Mental Illness, 1 in 5 adults in the U.S. experience mental illness each year, and many never seek the support they need. For children and adolescents, those needs are growing even more complex.
At Primary Health Solutions, we believe mental health care should be accessible, connected and part of everyday care—not something separate or out of reach.
Meeting People Where They Are
For Caitlyn Davidson, MSW, LISW-S, that work is deeply personal.
“I didn’t have one big ‘aha’ moment,” she shares. “I just kept finding myself in roles where I was supporting people—and it felt like the right fit.”
That same passion is shared across the behavioral health team, including Brooke Fey, LISW, whose inspiration began early.
“Growing up, I saw my cousin working in behavioral health and impacting the lives of patients,” Brooke says. “I’ve always had a caring, servant heart, and social work just fit who I am and what I wanted to offer to the world.”
Today, Caitlyn brings her work full circle, supporting students in the same elementary school she once attended—while providers like Brooke are meeting patients at different stages of life, all with the same goal: to provide compassionate, accessible care.
The Reality Behind Mental Health Today
Many of the challenges patients face aren’t always obvious.
“We see a lot of anxiety, stress and difficulty managing big emotions,” Caitlyn explains. “Often, it’s not just one major issue—it’s a buildup of everyday pressures.”
Brooke sees similar patterns.
“Anxiety and depression are some of the most common challenges we’re seeing,” she shares.
From school expectations and family responsibilities to the constant flow of information through technology and social media, today’s youth—and adults—are navigating more than ever before. And often, they’re doing it quietly.
That’s why access to care—and early support—matters.
Care That Works Together
At Primary Health Solutions, behavioral health isn’t treated as separate from physical health—it’s part of the same conversation.
“We don’t treat mental health like it exists in a separate lane—because it doesn’t,” Caitlyn says.
Through an integrated care model, behavioral health providers work alongside primary care teams to better understand the full picture of a patient’s health. “Behavioral health works alongside primary care to serve the whole patient in one visit,” Brooke explains. “Our mission is to meet patients where they are and connect them with the support they need to maintain their overall well-being.”
This collaboration helps identify concerns earlier, reduce barriers and ensure patients feel supported every step of the way.
It also means patients don’t have to figure it all out on their own.
Small Steps, Meaningful Change
The impact of behavioral health care is often seen in small, meaningful moments.
Caitlyn recalls working with a student who struggled to get through the school day—feeling overwhelmed, shutting down in class and hesitant to trust others.
Over time, through consistency, support and simple coping strategies, that began to change.
“They were able to stay in class longer, ask for help and start connecting with peers,” she says. “The biggest shift was in their confidence.”
By the end, the student wasn’t just getting through the day—they were participating, advocating for themselves and beginning to see their own potential.
“It was a series of small wins that added up,” she says. “That’s often what this work looks like—but it can make a really meaningful difference.”
For Brooke, that impact can also be seen in supporting mothers during one of life’s most vulnerable transitions.
“Behavioral health provides a space to validate emotions and support mothers through the postpartum period,” she says. “It also helps identify postpartum depression early and connect patients to the resources they need—so they can continue to be the amazing mothers they are.”
You’re Not Alone
One of the most important messages during Mental Health Awareness Month is simple: you don’t have to wait to ask for help.
“If it’s on your mind, it’s worth talking about,” Caitlyn says. “You don’t have to wait until things feel overwhelming.”
Brooke echoes that message.
“We are always here to support you—with no judgment—through care that is led by you and your pace,” she says.
Mental health is something we all have—and it can change over time, just like physical health. And while struggles aren’t always visible, support is always available.
A Community of Support
What keeps providers hopeful is the resilience they see every day.
“Even when things are hard, people find ways to adapt, learn and keep going,” Caitlyn says. “Getting to be a small part of that is what makes this work so meaningful.”
For Brooke, it’s the relationships. “Knowing I’m building trusting relationships with patients they can depend on—that’s what keeps me hopeful.”
At Primary Health Solutions, that belief drives everything we do—ensuring individuals and families have access to care that supports the whole person.
“Mental health is not something to be ashamed of,” Brooke adds. “Everyone deserves support in whatever they may be facing.” Because when mental health is part of the conversation, healthier communities follow.
If you or someone you love could benefit from behavioral health support, our team is here to help.
Call 513-454-1111 or visit www.MyPrimaryHealthSolutions.org.