The first week of October was dubbed as Mental Illness Awareness Week by the U.S. Congress in 1990 in recognition of the National Alliance of Mental Illness’s efforts to raise awareness about mental illness.
A mental illness is a condition that affects a person’s thinking, feeling or mood. Corie Zelazoski is a community health specialist with the Oneida County Health Department and says a mental illness can affect a person’s ability to relate to others and function on a daily basis.
“…Many people could experience mental health conditions from the time they’re very young, just because of the way their brain is wired, but other things that could lead to a mental illness is a loss or a death in the family, a loss of job a stressful situation like a move or a life change. These are all things that could lead to intermittent periods of mental illness…”
Zelazoski says this week is a reminder to be stigma free
“…So Mental Illness stigma is an attempt to label a group of people as less than worthy of respect from others and as a mark of shame, disgrace or disapproval that results in discrimination. So as a way to be stigma free, would just be accepting of all regardless of their mental illness status.”
Zelazoski says current research shows that nearly 11.5 percent of adolescents have experienced a major depressive episode, and says the most alarming fact is that nearly 60 percent of those adults didn't recieve any treatment.
Zelazoski says a big step in helping people get the treatment they need is to erase the stigma, starting by challenging the stereotypes set out by the media, lawmakers, friends and family…
“…One big thing across our country and across Wisconsin is we are really trying to fight health disparities and when people think about disparities they often think about race, religion and ethnic group, but remember mental illness can be included in that discussion. Many people feel less than because of that suffering.”
For more resources visit nami.org
