Don't fight mental illness alone

I was saddened to see your article on Oct. 25 regarding the Nathan Scott Foundation and the Scott family's struggle with mental illness. Five years ago my family also was alone in our struggle with my daughter's mental illness. We had nowhere to go and no one to talk to. Unfortunately, my daughter died by suicide ten weeks after her diagnosis. While I was looking for a place to give memorial in my daughter's memory I found NAMI DuPage.

NAMI is a group of people who have the lived experience of mental illness. They know what you are going through. NAMI has education programs for the families to help them learn the truth about mental illness and how best to help your family member.

NAMI also has a special program for parents with young children with a mental illness called NAMI Basics. No family should have to face this illness alone. I am angry that the Scott family was not directed to NAMI by their mental health provider, just as our family was not directed to NAMI. I know what we as NAMI members must do. We must spread the word that you are not alone. Please call the NAMI DuPage office if you or your family member suffer from a mental illness, 630-752-0066, or visit our Web site www.namidupage.org

Mary Lou Lowry

executive director, NAMI DuPage

Wheaton