If you’re anything like me, you have a lot of feelings — and you’re a sucker for a cute T-shirt. So, it’s a win-win when I can wear those feelings on my sleeve (literally).
Wearing shirts that represent mental health awareness or give back to a reputable cause supporting mental healthcare is a great way to end the stigma of mental illness, celebrate mental health awareness holidays like Mental Health Awareness Month, raise valuable funds, and find community with like-minded folks.
The thing is, though, aesthetics are important, and people probably aren’t too stoked to wear a shirt that says “hey, I’m depressed!” or that just has an awareness ribbon on it (though, if you do, all power to you). So, we found some collections of mental health awareness apparel that will hopefully complement your style — and support you and your community along the way.
Of course, we don’t think it’s great to profit off of someone’s disability or mental health condition, so we made sure that all the brands we’re about to tell you about have a history of donating profits to credible organizations or funds that provide mental healthcare.
Let’s get to it!
By the way, some of the links in this article are affiliate links, which means if you make a purchase after clicking a link, we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. Thank you!
Brands that make mental health shirts and apparel you can wear proudly
Other People Fund
We’re starting off strong with a brand that’s been sported by tote bag enthusiast Harry Styles!
Other People Fund is an apparel brand known for its design, stating “I think we need to see other people. And by other people I mean therapists.”
All proceeds from all items — like this tote bag and sweatshirt — go directly to the company’s sister nonprofit Support for the Psyche. The organization provides financial aid for applicants who are seeking mental health treatment.
IDONTMIND
IDONTMIND is an awareness campaign with a mission to inspire open conversations about mental health. With well-designed merch like tees and socks, 100% of the brand’s proceeds support the IDONTMIND campaign at Mental Health America.
IDONTMIND also offers an insightful blog about mental health, as well as accessible information about finding a therapist, mental health screenings, and various resources for specific conditions.
Find The Good Brand
Find The Good is a brand that creates apparel to help people “through the bad days, the rainy days, the ups and downs, and whatever else stands between you and a smile on your face.” Plus, we love name!
Signature designs in the Find The Good shop include smiley faces, as well as the brand’s “three simple words” to encourage shoppers to seek support and discover more good in the world. 10% of the company’s profits go to Mental Health America.
Self Care is for Everyone
Self Care is for Everyone was founded in 2018 on World Kindness Day. The brand’s goal is to congregate around shared communities of folks with mental health conditions and spread kindness and self-care reminders to all — in the form of cute merch items like shirts (we love the Glennon Doyle-inspired We Can Do Hard Things shirt) and stickers. Each package also comes with a voucher for one month of free therapy!
Since its founding, the company has contributed over $550,000 back to the mental health community through nonprofits and independent artist partnerships. Self Care is for Everyone commits, at minimum, 10% of its net profits to mental health and suicide prevention initiatives, donating to organizations like The Trevor Project, The Loveland Foundation, Crisis Text Line, and more.
Own Your Stigma
Own Your Stigma was created to open up conversations around mental illness and help remove all shame, negativity, and guilt that society has attached to it. By purchasing a store item — like a crewneck or a beanie — customers can “own” their “stigmas,” by wearing their experiences for everyone to see.
In addition, a percentage of the brand’s monthly sales are donated to organizations that provide and support mental healthcare. Plus, you can get 15% off when you use our code 'GOOD15.' (PS: we don't gain anything from you using this code; thanks to Own Your Stigma for this gift to our readers!)
Happiness Project
Happiness Project makes “clothes with a purpose,” honoring the legacy of a classmate who died by suicide. Offering colorful and fun hoodies and tees, Happiness Project donates 15% of its net profits to the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention. Since its founding in 2017, the company has donated over $100,000 to mental health organizations.
Recently, Happiness Project teamed up with TOMS for an extra special collection.
To Write Love on Her Arms
To Write Love on Her Arms (TWLOHA) is a nonprofit movement dedicated to presenting hope and finding help for people living with depression, addiction, self-injury, and suicide. TWLOHA is much more than an apparel brand, as funds from shirts and other merch items go towards the organization’s efforts. Their messages and designs are so good that they’ve inspired countless people to get mental health tattoos.
With a daily self care app, treatment and recovery scholarships, and nationwide events, TWLOHA seeks to provide folks with community support, financial aid, and personal empowerment.
STAY
STAY is a brand with a mission to inspire self-actualization, positive mental health, and staying kind to all. The word “stay” is often included in apparel designs, encouraging people to continue, even when times are at their toughest.
Whether shirts remind people that there’s a place for them, or to lean on one another when they need a little support, the brand encourages community and resilience. In fact, 10% of proceeds benefit three partner charities: American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, the National Alliance on Mental Illness, and the Anxiety & Depression Association of America.
Get help if you need it.
We know that it can be hard to find the help, support, and community you need when you're struggling with your mental health.
If you are in immediate need of safety, please contact the following:
Emergency Medical Services
911
National Suicide Prevention Lifelines
suicidepreventionlifeline.org
Call 988
Crisis Text Line
Text CRISIS to 741-741
And if you are not in immediate crisis and would still like access to more resources, visit our list of Mental Health Resources for more information.
