I used to think May was an odd time of the year for America to mark Mental Health Awareness Month. 

Why not in December when so many of us struggle with the overwhelm of the holidays coupled with the chemical changes that occur in the brain for many of us when the days get shorter and there’s less access to sunshine?

If you’ve thought the same, perhaps you’ll be as surprised as I was to learn a few years ago that spring — rather than the holiday season — is the hardest time of the year for those who struggle with their mental health. 

Seasonal affective disorder is a very real thing, and there is no good time of the year to struggle. 

But if there’s any one time of the year to be a little kinder to our neighbors, THIS is it. 

Data from the Centers for Disease Control show suicide rates tend to take a steep jump in April or May each year, continuing through August before dropping off to pre-spring and summer levels. 

Certain mental health conditions tend to worsen this time of the year as well. 

European researchers have found those with bipolar disorder, for example, have a higher risk of manic episodes in the spring and early summer. 

If the arrival of spring means the arrival of a battle with seasonal allergies for you, it may be worth reading up on the allergy-related findings of researchers at the University of Maryland School of Medicine. Their 2008 study declares depression, anxiety and sleep disturbances are all higher in families who suffer runny noses that are brought about by allergies.

If you can’t sleep well, can’t breathe well and feel all-around miserable, is it really surprising that you might see your mental health take a nosedive too? 

Now add in the fact that this is the time of year that we begin to shed our protective layers of clothing to account for the warmer weather, and spring is naturally a tough time for the nearly 80 percent of American adults who struggle with their body image. 

And don’t forget what happens to many of our schedules this time of year as those of us we all try to take advantage of the longer days and hot weather by packing as many events as we can into these short months. Suddenly you find every weekend on your calendar has at least one event to attend, and weekday nights are packed too. It’s those kinds of schedules that can send some into dark corners with their thoughts, especially if there is no one looking out for them. 

This is what Mental Health Awareness Month is about — being aware that we’re not alone and being aware that we need to make sure our neighbors know it.