Mayor Wilson proclaims May to be Mental Health Awareness Month (2026)

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In accordance with this acknowledgement, we recognize:

Whereas, the City of Portland takes pride in joining Americans throughout the country in recognizing May 2026 as Mental Health Awareness Month; and

Whereas, the City of Portland affirms that Mental Health Month promotes awareness of the importance of tending to our mental health as it is essential and acknowledges that those living with mental health disabilities are deserving of care, understanding, compassion, and pathways to hope, healing, recovery, fulfillment, and inclusivity; and

Whereas, as a City we acknowledge and recognize that the political climate, organization change, budgetary limitations amongst other life circumstance have a significant impact on the mental health and wellbeing of City employees; and

Whereas, speaking openly about mental health can reduce misconceptions and stigma, and can encourage those who are suffering to seek help and find a support network; and

Whereas, promoting a psychologically healthy culture is a priority through training and building leaders skill sets that support mental health and equip employees to manage daily stress and handle the inevitable challenges that affect their mental wellbeing; and

Whereas, increased awareness, increased understanding, support, tools, resources, and capacity building help to build a healthy foundation from which the City workforce can build upon to strengthen our selves, build resilience, and collectively cope and heal from past adversity and be better equipped to manage future adversities; and

Whereas, we recognize the importance of providing employees with a voice to be able to identify their needs and express how they would like to be supported; and

Whereas, the City of Portland City supports mental health awareness as an important social movement to help people with mental health disabilities understand that they are not alone in their experience. Raising mental health awareness can help create understanding, create access to resources, promote awareness, and break the mental health stigma that leaves so many people suffering in secret; and

Whereas, the City of Portland affirms that centering the mental health and wellbeing of its employees is essential to acknowledging the human experience and the impacts that life has on each of us. Understanding the complexity of the human experience creates unique circumstances that require intentionality, proactivity, responsiveness, and inclusion; and

Whereas, Creating opportunity for employee access to support, learning, and development opportunities focused on collective healing and holistic wellbeing from varying perspectives; to ensure inclusion and a person-centered approach to elevating mental wellness. Promoting healing, recovery, and building individual and collective resilience amid adversity.

Now, therefore, I, Keith Wilson, Mayor of the City of Portland, Oregon, the "City of Roses," do hereby proclaim May to be Mental Health Awareness Month in Portland and encourage all to recognize and tend to their mental health.