Every October, Mental Illness Awareness Week (MIAW) offers an important reminder that mental health is not separate from overall health—it is central to how we live, work, and connect with one another. In 2025, this week continues to shine a light on the millions of individuals and families affected by mental illness, encouraging open dialogue and collective action.

At Vanguard Research Group, we see firsthand how research can transform the way mental health conditions are understood and treated. By partnering with treatment centers and investigators across the country, we are working to make clinical trials more accessible and relevant to real-world care. This mission reflects the heart of MIAW: breaking barriers and reducing stigma so that people feel supported in seeking help.

Raising awareness also means amplifying voices—those of patients, families, and providers—who know the challenges of living with mental illness and the difference that compassionate care can make. When communities come together during Mental Illness Awareness Week, we take one more step toward a culture that values wellness, invests in solutions, and ensures no one is left behind.

This October, let us commit not only to recognizing the impact of mental illness, but also to supporting research, improving treatment access, and advocating for mental wellbeing as a priority for all.