May Is Mental Health Awareness Month: Why Celebration Matters

At Birthday Wishes, we know that birthdays aren’t just about balloons and cake—they’re about connection, healing, and hope. During Mental Health Awareness Month, we’re highlighting how our programs support the emotional wellbeing of children and teens experiencing homelessness—and why that support matters more than ever. 

Children in shelter settings often face enormous emotional stress: disrupted routines, family instability, and the trauma of housing insecurity. These experiences can deeply affect a child’s social-emotional development, self-esteem, and ability to trust. That’s why Birthday Wishes is proud to partner with nearly 200 shelters to deliver programming that is not only joyful—but trauma-informed and integrated into broader mental health and family support services. 

Our signature Birthday-in-a-Box program works in tandem with each shelter’s social-emotional programming, helping case managers and staff deliver meaningful, affirming experiences to every child. These celebrations aren’t just for the children—they’re also for their caregivers. By equipping parents and guardians with everything they need to celebrate their child—including themed decorations, personalized gifts, and party supplies—we foster moments of shared joy and pride that can be rare in times of crisis. 

These milestones help rebuild bonds, promote healing, and remind both child and caregiver that they are not alone—and that they are worth celebrating. 

For teens, our trauma-informed approach includes age-appropriate gifts, stress-relieving items like fidget toys, and a $25 gift card to Walmart, Target, or Amazon. That gift card may seem small, but it allows teens to choose their own present—a powerful opportunity for autonomy and emotional empowerment during a time when so much of their life may feel out of their control. 

As one shelter partner shared: 

“This may seem like a small gesture, but for our kids, these birthdays are life-changing. They feel seen. And for parents, it’s a chance to show love in a way they sometimes can’t during this chapter of their lives.” 

This May, as the nation reflects on the importance of mental health, we thank you for supporting the emotional wellness of some of our most vulnerable youth—and for believing, as we do, that every birthday can be a building block for resilience. 

Thank you for bringing healing, hope, and happiness—one birthday at a time.