Mental illness week crucial this year
October 3-9 is Mental Illness Awareness Week, a time to learn about serious mental illnesses such as major depression, bipolar disorder and schizophrenia.
Mental illnesses are medical illnesses. They affect all communities. Mental illness occurs at the same rate in people of all ages, ethnic backgrounds and socioeconomic status. One in four adults experiences a mental disorder in any given year. One in 17 adults lives with serious mental illness. One in 12 school age children has a mental illness although only 20 percent of them receive medical care.
The good news is that treatment works and saves lives. Those with mental illness and their families are not alone. Learn more about mental illness and support, education and advocacy to improve the lives of individuals affected by serious mental illnesses at the National Alliance on Mental Illness. NAMI DuPage, at 2100 Manchester Road in Wheaton and serving the entire DuPage County Community, offers support groups, educational classes and advocacy for those with mental illness and their families. If you or someone you love has a mental illness, please contact us at namidupage.org or call 630-752-0066. You will be met with compassion and understanding.
Mental Illness Awareness Week is especially important this year as severe budget cuts threaten mental health services in many communities around the country. The costs of cutting state mental health budgets are high people who do not receive treatment end up in hospitals, shelters, in jail or dead. With the Nov. 2 election on the horizon, there needs to be public dialogue about mental illness and political candidates need to hear that mental health needs get our vote. Please join the public dialogue.
Suzanne M. Cahalan
Wheaton
Board member,
NAMI DuPage