MONROE - The National Alliance on Mental Illness is reaching out to the community during Mental Illness Awareness Week (MIAW). MIAW takes place Oct. 3 to 9 and is an opportunity to learn more about serious mental illnesses such major depression, bipolar disorder, and schizophrenia.
"Mental illness knows no gender, racial, ethnic, age, or economic boundaries," said Teri Witkowski, a NAMI Wisconsin board member. "The good news is that treatment does work and recovery is possible. The bad news is that in many communities, including the communities served by NAMI Green County, people and families affected by mental illness may not know where to turn for help."
One in four adults experiences a mental health problem in any given year. One in 17 lives with serious, chronic mental illnesses. On average, people living with serious mental illness live 25 years less than the rest of the population. One reason is that less than one-third of adults and less than one-half of children with a diagnosed mental illness receive the treatment they need.
In 2009, more than 42,000 Wisconsin residents were impacted by the work of NAMI Wisconsin and its 35 affiliates. NAMI provides information to persons affected by mental illness and their families and serves as their advocate on a state and national level.
In honor of MIAW, NAMI Green County will place an informational display in the New Glarus Public Library. They will also enter a team in the Dane County NAMIWalk on Oct. 3. Contact Joe Phillipps at (608) 329-6211 to support the walk team.
More information about mental illness support, education, and advocacy is available online at www.namiwisconsin.org.
"Mental illness knows no gender, racial, ethnic, age, or economic boundaries," said Teri Witkowski, a NAMI Wisconsin board member. "The good news is that treatment does work and recovery is possible. The bad news is that in many communities, including the communities served by NAMI Green County, people and families affected by mental illness may not know where to turn for help."
One in four adults experiences a mental health problem in any given year. One in 17 lives with serious, chronic mental illnesses. On average, people living with serious mental illness live 25 years less than the rest of the population. One reason is that less than one-third of adults and less than one-half of children with a diagnosed mental illness receive the treatment they need.
In 2009, more than 42,000 Wisconsin residents were impacted by the work of NAMI Wisconsin and its 35 affiliates. NAMI provides information to persons affected by mental illness and their families and serves as their advocate on a state and national level.
In honor of MIAW, NAMI Green County will place an informational display in the New Glarus Public Library. They will also enter a team in the Dane County NAMIWalk on Oct. 3. Contact Joe Phillipps at (608) 329-6211 to support the walk team.
More information about mental illness support, education, and advocacy is available online at www.namiwisconsin.org.