Take Action for
World IBD Day
May 19, 2026

IBD is More Than the Gut. Let's Go There.

World IBD Day unites the global community to raise awareness for Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis.

This year, we're focusing on the realities that often go unseen, including how stress, pain, relationships, and mental health shape daily life with IBD. During Mental Health Awareness Month, we're bringing these conversations forward.

Feeling overwhelmed or unseen? Let's go there.
Managing stress, pain, or relationship challenges? Let's go there.
Ready to find strength and connection? Let's go there.

That's why we created the More Than the Gut Guide, a resource with expert insights, evidence-based coping tools, and real talk from the IBD community.

Let's Go There:

Download the More Than the Gut Guide | Double Your Impact for the IBD Community | Dealing with Stress, Relationships, and Pain | Share Your Story

Go Beyond the Gut

Created with GI psychologists and the IBD community, this guide shares practical tools, expert insights, and lived experiences to help people with Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis navigate stress, relationships, and the emotional side of life with IBD.

Prefer to get it by text?

Text MORETHAN to 80151 to opt in and receive the guide.

Download Your Free Guide: "More Than the Gut"

Contact Information

More Than What You See

More Than the Gut: Voices from the IBD Community

IBD affects millions of people around the world, but every experience is different. These voices from the community show the resilience, honesty, and strength behind life with IBD.

Gaylyn Henderson

“Mental health is a big part of my journey with Crohn’s disease and living with an ostomy. For a long time, I tried to carry everything on my own. Working with mental health providers and tools like gut-directed hypnosis has helped me care for both my mind and my gut. It reminded me that it’s okay to ask for help and that none of us have to go through this alone.”

Joel Nixon

“Living with Crohn’s disease and an ostomy has taught me that I can’t do everything — but I can do the things that matter most if I plan for them. I look ahead at my schedule, prioritize what’s important, and build in rest and backup plans. It’s not about missing out — it’s about protecting your energy so you can show up fully for the moments that count.”

Natalie Hayden

“When I told my now-husband I had Crohn’s disease early in our relationship, I was very nervous about how he’d react. Instead, he leaned in — asking questions, showing up during hospitalizations and flares, and reminding me that my illness wasn’t ‘too much.’ His support showed me that the right people won’t run from your diagnosis — they’ll walk through it with you.”

Share Your Story

THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSORS

The Crohn's & Colitis Foundation extends its deepest thanks to our World IBD Day sponsors:

Take Action forWorld IBD DayMay 19, 2026

IBD is More Than the Gut. Let's Go There.

Go Beyond the Gut

Prefer to get it by text?

Download Your Free Guide: "More Than the Gut"

Your Gift Goes Twice as Far

More Than What You See

Stress and IBD: The Mind-Gut Connection

Living with IBD: Pain and Fatigue

Managing Relationships with IBD