National Mental Health Week coincides with National Coming Out Day this Saturday. Social worker Micaela Scully at Silver Hill Hospital in New Canaan says it is important for people to focus on mental health awareness and support all year long, not just for National Mental Health Week.

"Not everybody has mental illness, right, but everybody has mental health to focus on just as important as our physical health," said Scully.

As National Coming Out Day approaches this Saturday, she said it's important to recognize the mental health challenges that can accompany this milestone.

"Anyone who's in any sort of minority community is going to have an additional layer of potential stress or suffering based on social situations, but if your family can say, 'I love you no matter what,' that is going to be the foundation and bolster the person to be able to manage most of what the rest of life has to throw at them," said Scully.

Scully said fear of rejection or discrimination can lead to increased anxiety and depression, making supportive environments and access to affirming care essential.

"It's very anxiety-provoking for most folks even if you have a supportive family if you've never talked about this topic, you don't know how the family is going to react until you do, right, and friendships ... it's very complicated, so fear of loss because there are people who do lose family members friendships by being exactly who they are," said Scully.

She says the first step, no matter where you are in your mental health journey, is talking to a professional.

There are many resources available for those who need it.