Unfortunately, there is still a significant stigma surrounding mental illness, primarily due to the lack of education about the subject. Millions of people around the world struggle with mental illness, but they don’t seek help because of this stigma. Living with a mental illness is challenging and can make it difficult to live a happy, productive life. Because of the stigma and lack of education, Mental Illness Awareness Week is hugely beneficial.
What is Mental Illness Awareness Week?
Mental Illness Awareness Week started back in 1990 when the United States Congress wanted to recognize NAMI. NAMI is the National Alliance on Mental Illness, and their purpose is to increase awareness and educate people about mental illness. This week takes place during the first week of October, and NAMI focuses on awareness events and outreach during the week. This has been very beneficial for a variety of reasons, and it’s helping to decrease the stigma. This year, Mental Illness Awareness Week is taking place October 7 – 13, 2018.
Why Mental Illness Awareness Week is Important
Many people never get help for their mental illness because they don’t know what the signs and symptoms are. The other issue is that due to this lack of education, people don’t get help because they think they can handle it alone. It’s imperative to increase awareness so people know that there is help available. Mental health is just as important as physical health, so people need to understand what’s going on.
Some of the common forms of mental illness people struggle with include the following:
- Depression
- Anxiety
- Post traumatic stress disorder
- Bipolar disorder
- Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder
These are only a fraction of the various forms of mental illnesses, and it’s important that loved ones understand as well. When someone is dealing with a mental illness, it’s common for a family to feel completely lost in the situation. Family members who don’t understand mental illness may feel guilty that they can’t help the person who is struggling. When you know what mental illness really is, you not only learn about how someone can get help, but how you can help as well.
Getting Help for Mental Illness
If you’re someone who is struggling with your mental health or have a loved one who is, you don’t need to wait until Mental Illness Awareness week. PACE Mental Health is a mental health clinic Houston residents trust, and we’re here to help people heal from their mental illness. Our program is designed to help educate people and learn proper coping skills for managing their mental health. We want you to know that you’re not alone, and there’s no shame in getting help to turn your life around.
We assist people in their healing journey through the following programs and more:
To learn more about PACE Mental Health or Mental Illness Awareness Week, call us today at 866.971.8423.
