Every year, World Ovarian Cancer Day, Mental Health Awareness Week, and HIV Vaccine Awareness Day are all observed in May. As always, members of the Research Communities have shared posts that highlight the key themes of the awareness day and specific theme of the year. 

I would like to spotlight a selection of these contributions, from research into ovarian cancer survival and residual disease, to reflections on how racism impacts children's mental health and a look at global efforts to develop a safe and effective HIV vaccine. 

 I invite you to read these blog posts in full and take some time to explore the wider conversations happening across the platform this month. 

Mental Health Awareness Week  

Since 2001, the Mental Health Foundation has led Mental Health Awareness Week, an annual campaign that unites the UK in a shared commitment to improve mental wellbeing. Taking place from 12–18th May 2025, the theme this year is one that lies at the heart of mental health: community. 

Community plays a vital role in fostering good mental health. Safe, supportive, and inclusive communities can offer connection, purpose, and a sense of belonging - elements that are essential for our emotional resilience. 

To mark the week, I’ve highlighted a selection of insightful blog posts shared by members of the Research Communities.  

LGBTQ+ youth are facing a mental health crisis 

More than half of young LGBTQ+ people report self-harming, and suicide is now the second leading cause of death in individuals between 10 and 24 years old. What’s behind this crisis, and how can we address it? @Sophie Gray explores the roots of this public health emergency in her fascinating New and Opinion blog, from bullying and familial rejection to systemic healthcare discrimination and the enduring effects of the AIDS epidemic. It highlights the urgent need for inclusive, patient-centred mental health care that has been developed with LGBTQ+ youth.  Read how we can begin to bridge the gap between LGBTQ+ young people and the care they deserve. 

Racism gets under the skin 

What if the stress of racism doesn’t just shape how people feel, but how they age? @Muna AnNisa Aikins, @Yayouk Willems, @Deniz Fraemke, @Bridget Goosby and @Laurel Raffington have written a Behind the Paper blog post about their journey to understand the roots of health disparities and explain how an interdisciplinary and international team was vital to navigate its complexity. In an article published in Molecular Psychiatry, they reveal how racial disparities in mental health and biological aging begin as early as childhood. By tracking nearly 5,000 children across the U.S., they uncovered how structural racism accelerates aging and impacts well-being over time. Dive into the full study to explore how inequality literally gets under the skin and the challenges they navigated to achieve this. 

Q&A with Brenda Happell, Professor of Mental Health 

Brenda Happell is a trailblazer in mental health nursing, with a career dedicated to improving care through education, advocacy, and collaboration with Experts by Experience. In this fascinating interview with @Lisa Hodgkinson, Brenda discusses her latest book, ‘Sickness in Health: Bullying in Nursing and Other Health Professions’, and the urgent need to address toxic workplace cultures in healthcare. Shes draws on personal and shared experiences and explores how bullying undermines both staff well-being and patient care. To commemorate International Nurses Day 2025 on the 12th of May 2025, Brenda offers powerful reflections on self-care, resilience, and change. Read the full conversation and explore her vital insights. 

World Ovarian Cancer Day 

Ovarian cancer manifests in 30 distinct types affecting the ovaries, fallopian tubes, or peritoneum, each varying in incidence, behaviour, and prognosis. Despite its complexity and severity, it remains under-diagnosed, and research is underfunded, posing major challenges for diagnosis and treatment. 

The 8th of May 2025 was World Ovarian Cancer Day, a global awareness initiative led by the World Ovarian Cancer Coalition. Partnering with over 200 organisations, this day unites efforts to raise awareness, support those affected, and drive action against this often overlooked and underfunded disease. 

Below is a selection of posts from the Research Communities highlighted in recognition of World Ovarian Cancer Day.  

Highlights from the Journal of Ovarian Research 

Ovarian cancer is often called the “silent killer” as its subtle symptoms mean most cases are detected too late. This World Ovarian Cancer Day, @Tamara May spotlights the  Journal of Ovarian Cancer in her News and Opinion blog and highlights why awareness of ovarian cancer is crucial. The blog explores what researchers are uncovering about better diagnostics, treatments, and how innovative tools like nanotechnology and microbiome studies are changing the diagnostic and treatment landscape. and ways to get involved in the full blog. 

The impact of residual disease after surgery on ovarian cancer survival 

@Renée Fortner and colleagues recognised that few studies have evaluated the ovarian cancer stage and survival in patients who have residual ovarian tumours left after surgery to remove it. The team analysed data from over 2,600 women with advanced ovarian cancer and published the results in the British Journal of Cancer. This blog explains how they begun to challenge the current definition of “optimal” surgery outcomes (<1 cm residual tumour), showing that even tiny remnants (0.1 cm) are linked to poorer survival. As chemotherapy options evolve, this post demonstrates how the results of the study may prompt a shift in surgical standards. Read the full Behind the Paper  to explore the study’s implications for treatment and future care strategies.   

HIV Vaccine Awareness Day 

HIV Vaccine Awareness Day on the 18th of May offers an opportunity to recognise the dedication of scientists, advocates, and patients working towards a safe and effective vaccine against HIV. Led by the National Institutes of Health, this day draws attention to the ongoing challenges faced by people living with HIV and underscores the urgent need for innovative research solutions. 

Vaccines & HIV updated recommendations and why it matters 

To learn more about the day, read this Behind the Paper post from @Fiona Gispen, who explains how persistent immune differences in people with HIV impact vaccine effectiveness, and why tailored strategies are essential. From pneumococcal and shingles vaccines to newer options like RSV, this paper, published in Current HIV/AIDS Reports offers updated, evidence-based recommendations to ensure this high-risk group is protected. 

 You should also read the blog from @Sophie Gray, who has compiled open access research published across Springer Nature’s imprints that increase understanding of HIV’s mechanisms and contribute to the development of a safe and accessible preventative vaccine. 

Thank you to all the authors who have shared their research, insights, and dedication in support of this month’s awareness days; these contributions on the Research Communities continue to help inform and inspire readers globally.  

Don’t forget to like and start conversations in the comment section of the posts you enjoy. Is there more you would like to learn from the author? Let them know in the comments!   

Further reading:   

• April highlights from Medicine and Life Sciences Research Communities   

• May highlights from the Humanities and Social Sciences Communities   

• May highlights from the Mathematics, Physical & Applied Sciences Communities  

If you have any questions, get in touch with the team at communities@springernature.com.