Blog written by DRDFS Communications Manager, Brooklynn Lambert
May is Mental Health Awareness Month, and this year’s theme from Mental Health America, “More Good Days, Together,” is a powerful reminder that mental health is not just about getting through difficult moments. It is about creating more moments where people feel supported, balanced, and able to thrive. A good day can look different for everyone, but for many students, it starts with knowing they are not facing everything on their own.
At Detroit Regional Dollars for Scholars, we see the determination and drive our scholars bring to their goals every day. They are managing school, work, family responsibilities, and the pressure of planning for what comes next. For many, the path to higher education also comes with financial stress and uncertainty. These realities can make it harder to experience those “good days,” even as they continue to push forward.
The idea of having more good days is not about perfection or constant happiness. It is about making space for students to feel supported in ways that are real and meaningful. For some, a good day might mean feeling confident walking into a test. For others, it might mean having a moment to rest without guilt, or having someone check in and truly listen. These moments matter, and they add up.
Our scholars show us what resilience looks like, but resilience should not mean doing everything alone. Creating more good days, together, means recognizing that support systems play a critical role in student success. When students feel seen, heard, and valued beyond their academic performance, they are better able to navigate challenges and stay connected to their goals.
There are simple ways we can all help create more good days for students. Taking the time to ask how they are doing and being ready to listen. Reminding them that their worth is not defined by a single outcome. Encouraging balance and making space for rest. Connecting them to resources when they need additional support. These actions may seem small, but they can shape how a student experiences their day and their future.
As a community of donors, educators, families, and supporters, we have an opportunity to be part of this effort. Every scholarship we provide helps reduce financial stress, but our impact goes beyond that. When we show up with empathy and understanding, we help create an environment where students can have more good days and build a stronger foundation for their well-being.
Our scholars are working toward bright futures, and they deserve to get there in a way that supports both their ambitions and their mental health. This Mental Health Awareness Month, we are reminded that more good days are possible when we work together to support the whole student!
“I grew up without a clue of what I wanted to do, or where I wanted to go in life, until I had the opportunity to join Dollars for Scholars my sophomore year of high school. From visiting campuses, to SAT prep, the guidance I received from the program changed my entire outlook.
“From college tours to financial aid, Dollars for Scholars has greatly impacted my path to higher education. As a first generation college student, deciding where I would want to continue my education and figuring out how I would get there was a difficult process. My family and I lacked the time and transportation necessary to visit schools, and this limited me in figuring out my future.
“When joining Dollars for Scholars, I was eager to visit colleges and earn scholarship money. Being able to look at all the different schools with other students I could relate to was so reassuring. Dollars for Scholars was able to answer my questions about the ins & outs of post-secondary education, as well assist me with applications. This extra help was so motivating.
“Detroit Regional Dollars for Scholars is a life-changing program. Before high school, I was going down a path that if most kids took, they’d end up either dropping out of school or going to jail. Detroit Regional Dollars for Scholars helped inspire me to get on a better path by showing me how to prepare for college. Hearing other students’ stories made me feel like I could be successful both in high school and post-secondary education.