MONROE - Mental Illness Awareness Week is October 4-10, designated by Congress to promote public education about serious mental illnesses such as major depression, bipolar disorder and schizophrenia. Others include post-traumatic stress disorder, anxiety disorders including obsessive-compulsive disorder and borderline personality disorder. About 60 million Americans experience mental health problems in any given year. One in 17 lives with the most serious conditions.
"Mental illnesses are medical illnesses," said Conni Bigler of NAMI Green County, the local affiliate of the National Alliance on Mental Illness. "That is the starting point for understanding, as well as treatment and recovery."
Suicide is the eleventh leading cause of death in the U.S., and the third leading cause of death for ages 10 to 24 years. More than 90 percent of those who die by suicide have a diagnosable mental disorder according to the National Institute of Mental Health.
"Mental illness does not discriminate. No one is immune," said Bigler.
Trevor Moen, Bigler's son, grew up in New Glarus. He had been diagnosed with bipolar disorder in his late teens. Medication helped at that time, but lack of insurance coverage in later years meant giving up on the treatment. Trevor kept his illness a secret from almost everyone, and in October of 2007 at the age of 29, he committed suicide.
"Mental illnesses are medical illnesses," said Conni Bigler of NAMI Green County, the local affiliate of the National Alliance on Mental Illness. "That is the starting point for understanding, as well as treatment and recovery."
Suicide is the eleventh leading cause of death in the U.S., and the third leading cause of death for ages 10 to 24 years. More than 90 percent of those who die by suicide have a diagnosable mental disorder according to the National Institute of Mental Health.
"Mental illness does not discriminate. No one is immune," said Bigler.
Trevor Moen, Bigler's son, grew up in New Glarus. He had been diagnosed with bipolar disorder in his late teens. Medication helped at that time, but lack of insurance coverage in later years meant giving up on the treatment. Trevor kept his illness a secret from almost everyone, and in October of 2007 at the age of 29, he committed suicide.
