May is Mental Health Awareness Week -May 05/2025-May May 11/205. This is a time to prioritize the well-being for educators, and staff. This year’s theme, “Masking and Unmasking,” resonates deeply within the school environment, where individuals often mask their struggles to meet expectations or fit in. By unmasking stigma and fostering open conversations, schools can become safe spaces where mental health is embraced and supported. School staff play a vital role in creating a culture of understanding, empowering students to express themselves authentically and seek help when needed. Together, let’s champion mental health awareness and build resilient school communities.

Why We Mask

• Concealment: They help hide emotions, vulnerabilities, or aspects of identity to avoid judgment or discrimination.

• Adaptation: Masks allow individuals to fit into societal norms or expectations, often as a coping mechanism.

What Masks Do

• Provides a barrier: Creates a physical or emotional boundary between the individual and the outside world, isolating the individual.

• Transformation: Masks can alter appearances, enabling people to take on new roles or personas. Masking is presenting an idealized image of self on social media platforms

• Hiding: Masks permit the hiding of invisible disabilities, gender identity or natural characteristics such as neurodivergence.

• Causes burnout: It is stressful to maintain a high level of masking.

• Decrease access to social supports: Masking prevents individuals from accessing social supports or help. The “I’m fine” stops others from reaching out with support and help.

• Privacy: Offering a sense of security by hiding personal truths.

Masking is Not

Professionalism and politeness are not forms of masking because they serve as tools for effective communication, mutual respect, and collaboration, rather than concealing one’s identity or emotions. Here’s why:

1. Foundations of Respect: Professionalism and politeness reflect an effort to show respect for colleagues, clients, and the workplace environment. This is about fostering harmony and understanding, not about hiding who you are.
2. Clear Communication: These behaviors support constructive dialogue. Being polite doesn’t mean suppressing opinions; it means expressing them in a manner that others can engage with productively.
3. Adaptability, Not Concealment: Professionalism involves adapting to the context of the workplace while maintaining authenticity. It’s about aligning with shared goals, not pretending to be someone else.
4. Empathy and Emotional Intelligence: Politeness often stems from empathy—being mindful of others’ feelings and needs. This approach encourages connection rather than detachment.

While masking involves hiding emotions or identity out of fear or pressure, professionalism and politeness are intentional practices to build trust, improve workplace relationships, and create an inclusive environment where people can thrive.

Unmasking is an essential step toward authenticity, connection, and growth. Here’s why it matters:

1. Building Authentic Relationships: By unmasking, we allow others to see our true selves. This creates deeper, more genuine connections based on trust and understanding.
2. Destigmatizes Mental Health and Creates Awareness: Unmasking helps to break the stigma around mental health, encouraging open discussions and fostering environments where individuals feel safe.
3. Empowerment Through Vulnerability: Revealing our struggles and emotions can be empowering, showing strength in being honest and real. This can inspire others to do the same.
4. Creating Inclusive Spaces: In schools, workplaces, and communities, unmasking contributes to building environments where everyone feels accepted for who they truly are.

Unmasking is not just about revealing our challenges; it’s about embracing the full spectrum of our identity and experiences, and our true selves. It paves the way for personal growth and collective compassion. Unmasking is a decision to embrace authenticity and to connect with others on a deeper level.

While it can be daunting to remove the barriers that shield us, it is through unmasking that we begin to heal, grow, and thrive. By fostering environments that support vulnerability and empathy, we can challenge stigma, celebrate individuality, and build stronger, more compassionate communities.

Mental Health Awareness Week challenges us to commit to unmask, not only our own truths but also the judgment and fear that often keep others hidden. Together, we can create a world where everyone feels seen, valued, and understood.

Resources:

https://cmha.ca/mental-health-week/

mentalhealthcommission.ca