Non-Apparent but Very Much There: Celebrating Mental Health Awareness Month with the Accessibility Advisory Committee

The month of May celebrates mental health and brings awareness of mental health disabilities, the most common of disabilities. The 2025 theme created by the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) is “In every story, there’s strength.” This theme highlights uniqueness in all people who experience mental health barriers, and the strength within all. This is something to remember: sometimes folx may need to take it hour by hour, or minute by minute, but we should do our best to learn to respect people no matter their ability.

Mental Health Myths and Realities

There are serious misconceptions about mental health diagnoses that create fear, leading people to assume that people with mental health diagnoses are dangerous or violent, largely due to lack of education and because mental illness is primarily non-apparent. According to Johns Hopkins Medicine, “An estimated 26% of Americans ages 18 and older — about 1 in 4 adults — suffers from a diagnosable mental disorder in a given year.” It is important to recognize that while mental health disorders such as Depression, Bipolar Disorder, Schizophrenia, Anxiety, Dissociative disorders, and other mental health disabilities can significantly affect those diagnosed and those around them, it does not automatically mean that those individuals are dangerous or that they cannot lead typical lives. In most cases, individuals who live with mental illness can succeed and flourish in higher education, have careers, and raise families, if they choose those paths in life.

Accommodating Mental Health Conditions

While mental illness may not be a readily apparent disability, the symptoms are very real and can significantly impact an individual’s ability to perform some daily functions, including work. The Job Accommodation Network has several suggestions for potential workplace accommodations in its About Mental Health Conditions sheet online. Some examples include the following:

• Flexible schedules
• Ability to work from home
• Use of a service animal
• Reduce Triggers/Activating Factors

To find out more about employee accommodations please contact Tricia Lovely, who is the contact for employee accommodations, at tlovely@shoreline.edu. To request an accommodation, please fill out an ADA Request Form and send it to scchr@shoreline.edu.

Similarly, many students with mental health disabilities may seek academic accommodations by contacting Student Accessibility Services. Some common accommodations for students with mental health barriers may include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Extended testing time
• Alternatives to activating materials
• Use of an assistance animal
• Disability-related absences

Self-Care

Maintaining mental well-being is a proactive and ongoing process. Here are some strategies to help navigate life’s stressors and strengthen your mental health:

1. Prioritize Physical Health

• Exercise: Even light physical activity, like a 30-minute walk, can boost your mood and reduce anxiety.
• Nutrition: Eat balanced meals, stay hydrated, and avoid excessive caffeine and sugar.
• Sleep: Aim for 7–9 hours of quality sleep each night to restore energy and improve mental clarity.

2. Connect with Others

• Build relationships: Maintain and nurture friendships; don’t hesitate to reach out and connect with new people.
• Spend quality time: Meaningful interactions with loved ones can combat loneliness and increase feelings of support.

3. Practice Mindfulness and Relaxation

• Mindfulness: Techniques like meditation, deep breathing, or yoga can help you stay grounded in the present moment.
• Relaxation: Explore methods like guided imagery or progressive muscle relaxation to manage stress.
• Hobbies: Engage in creative or leisure activities that bring joy and a sense of purpose.

4. Set Boundaries and Manage Stress

• Say no when needed: Avoid overcommitting to preserve your energy.
• Delegate: Share responsibilities to lighten your mental load when possible.
• Take breaks: Step away regularly to prevent burnout.
• Limit screen time: Excessive use of social media can worsen anxiety or depression.
• Spend time in nature: Outdoor time has been shown to reduce stress and enhance mood.

Resources

If you are experiencing mental health distress, we encourage you to seek professional help. On campus, students can visit the Counseling Center in the FOSS building, Room 5251, or call 206-546-4594 to meet with a counselor or get help locating a mental health professional outside of the college. Employees are encouraged to contact the Employee Assistance Program (EAP) at 877-313-4455 or contact your general health practitioner.

For 24/7 emergency counseling, referral, or assistance please call: 

• National Suicide Prevention Lifeline | 800-273-8255
• King County: Crisis Connections (Crisis Line), 866-427-4747
• Snohomish County: Volunteers of America Care Crisis Response Services (Crisis Line), 800-584-3578
• Lifeline Crisis Chat: Go to the following link: suicidepreventionlifeline.org/chat/
• Crisis Text Line: Text 741741
• 911 (for immediate health-related emergency)

Additional mental health resources:

• National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI), Phone: 800-950-NAMI
• Providence-Everett Behavioral Health Urgent Care,  Phone: 425-261-4210
• Inside Higher Ed: Accommodating Mental Health
• Mental Health Conditions in the Workplace and the ADA
• Research Brief: Mental Health, Employment, and the ADA
• Archived Recording: Weighing My Options: Mental Health and Reasonable Accommodation on the Job

How are we doing?

Please submit feedback about the information that the Accessibility Advisory Committee shares, or any questions that you have, to the Chair of the Committee, Miranda Levy, via email at mlevy@shoreline.edu so that the committee can review together and serve the campus community better.