Awareness into Action: Mental Health & Prevention This October

October 2025 | Women’s Health | Mental Health & Prevention

By Karen Miller, LCSW-S, BCD | Karen Miller Counseling & Consulting, PLLC.

October is a month of light and awareness. It’s when many of us begin to notice the days getting shorter, the air cooler, and our routines shifting. It’s also National Depression & Mental Health Screening Month, Mental Illness Awareness Week (October 6–12), and World Mental Health Day (October 10).

As someone who works closely with women in midlife, I’ve seen how this season can stir up old triggers, deepen anxiety, or bring depressive symptoms into sharper focus. But it can also be a time of powerful resilience if we use awareness as a tool. In this article, I’ll share three mental health check-ins you can do this October, what to look out for, and when to ask for help.

Mental Health Check-Ins for October

1. Monitor Seasonal Mood and Energy Shifts

• What to watch for: Increasing fatigue, feeling flat, losing interest in things you usually enjoy, mood dipping more than usual as daylight lessens.

• Why it matters: Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) doesn’t hit everyone, but midlife changes (hormonal, metabolic, life stressors) can make you more vulnerable. Light exposure, daily routines, and sleep are all pieces of the puzzle.

  
  

2. Screen for Depression & Anxiety

• What to do: Use simple screening tools (PHQ-9, GAD-7) or ask your provider to assess your symptoms.

• Signs that might prompt screening: Sleep disturbances, appetite changes, concentration problems, feelings of hopelessness, or persistent sadness lasting more than two weeks.

• Evidence: Early screening has been shown to improve treatment outcomes and reduce risk by catching things before they deepen. October is designed to promote exactly this.

  
  

3. Create Intentional Self-Care & Community Support

• Examples:

  • Plan a weekly walk outdoors, even if it’s brisk.

  • Add one ritual that helps ground you (journaling, meditation, creative expression).

  • Connect with someone you trust; share how you’re doing rather than going it alone.

• Why it helps: Social connection and meaningful routines buffer against depressive symptoms. Minor actions can shift mood and stress more than we think.

  
  

When to Seek Help

• If you notice symptoms of depression or anxiety interfering with daily life for more than 2-3 weeks.

• If you have thoughts of harming yourself or hopelessness that feel overwhelming.

• If sleep, appetite, or energy shifts are severe or worsening.

  
  

Clinician Notes:

Mental health isn’t just a “feelings issue” our brains, bodies, hormones, external stressors, and relationships all play a part. This October, by doing small checks, asking good questions, and treating mental health with the same serious attention we give physical health, we set ourselves up for a stronger, more resilient season ahead.

Action Step: Mark your calendar for this month: pick one screening tool (online or with a provider), plan one new grounding ritual, and commit to sharing at least one honest check-in with a friend or trusted person.

References:

• NAMI: Mental Illness Awareness Week & Workplace Mental Health toolkit. NAMI

• WHO: World Mental Health Day, its themes, and global significance. World Health Organization

• SAMHSA / local health districts: Information on Depression & Mental Health Screening Month. dhcd.org+1