Mental Health Awareness Month: Expanding Access, Breaking Stigma, and Supporting You

May is Mental Health Awareness Month, a time to pause, reflect, and recognize just how important mental health is to our overall well-being. It’s also a time to continue important conversations around reducing stigma and making it easier for individuals and families to access the care they need.

At Fast Pace Behavioral Health, this month holds special meaning for our team. Every day, we see firsthand the impact that accessible, compassionate mental health care can have, and we remain committed to making that support available to more patients across the communities we serve.

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Why Mental Health Awareness Matters

Mental health is just as important as physical health, yet for many, reaching out for support can feel overwhelming. Whether it’s anxiety, depression, stress, or simply feeling “off,” these experiences are more common than many realize. Mental Health Awareness Month serves as a reminder that no one is alone in what they’re feeling, and that support is available for those who need it.

“Taking the first step toward mental health support can feel like the hardest part, but it’s also one of the most important. We want patients to know they will be met with understanding, not judgment.”
— Nikita Duke, DNP, PMHNP-BC

Breaking the Stigma

One of the most significant barriers to mental health care continues to be stigma. Too often, individuals feel pressure to push through difficult emotions or manage challenges on their own. This mindset can delay care and prevent people from getting the support they deserve. At Fast Pace Behavioral Health, we believe in normalizing these conversations and creating a space where patients feel comfortable, respected, and supported. Whether someone is seeking care for the first time or continuing their journey, our goal is to meet them where they are and provide care that fits their needs.

“Mental health is a critical part of whole-person care. When we create access and normalize these conversations, we’re not just improving care, we’re strengthening the communities we serve.”
— Nikita Duke, DNP, PMHNP-BC

Breaking Barriers & Expanding Access to Care

Improving mental health care goes beyond awareness, it requires intentional action to remove barriers and expand access for patients who need support. Under the leadership of Robert “Bob” McKenzie, Executive Sponsor of Behavioral Health, and the direction of Nikita Duke, Vice President of Operations – Behavioral Health, Fast Pace Behavioral Health has experienced significant growth and transformation. The program has expanded access across nearly 300 clinic locations, supported by a growing multidisciplinary team of behavioral health professionals and support staff, while also reaching beyond those walls through telehealth, bringing behavioral health services directly to patients, wherever they are.

As part of this continued growth, Fast Pace Behavioral Health has recently welcomed four new Psychiatric Nurse Practitioners and two new therapists. These additions bring the Behavioral Health team to more than 40 providers, strengthening the organization’s ability to meet increasing demand and improve access to care.

This growth is supported by the adoption and custom design of innovative technology that streamlines workflows and reduces administrative burden for patients, providers, and staff. By improving efficiency behind the scenes, teams can focus more fully on what matters most—patient care. In collaboration with health insurers, including Medicare, Medicaid and many commercial plans, Fast Pace Health has also broadened insurance acceptance, helping reduce financial barriers and making behavioral health services more accessible than ever before, especially to underserved communities.

“Expanding our team and the insurers we work with allows us to reach more patients, reduce barriers to care, and grow the level of support available to the communities we serve.”
— Bob McKenzie, Executive Sponsor, Behavioral Health

Moving Forward Together

Mental Health Awareness Month is an important reminder—but the work does not stop here. At Fast Pace Behavioral Health, we remain committed to improving access, supporting our patients, and continuing to break down barriers to care every day.

If you or someone you know has been considering reaching out for support, this is a meaningful time to take that step. You do not have to navigate this alone, and support is available when you are ready.

Care that meets you where you are

Whether you’re just starting to explore support or ready to connect, our team is here for you.

Register today to get started with Fast Pace Behavioral Health.

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