This week has been a bit of a blur – my birthday, illnesses, due dates and deadlines and so here it is, Wednesday, October 9th and I’ve missed half of National Mental Illness Awareness Week, while writing about mental illness…
I completely forgot until I saw this post on The Art of Balance.
What is National Mental Illness Awareness Week?
Mental Illness Awareness Week (MIAW) (also known as Mental Health Awareness Week) was established in 1990 by the U.S. Congress in recognition of efforts by the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) to educate and increase awareness about mental illness.
via Wikipedia
What You Can Do
Share your story
I came to the realization years ago, that sharing our stories helps in two ways: it helps us process our own journeys, and it helps others on their own journey, who feel alone and misunderstood.
It’s one of the reasons blogging became a natural fit for so many of us.
Talk with others
Finding others who understand and will listen is a huge part of healing. Nothing will keep you in a depressive state quite like being surrounded by those who keep telling you to just snap out of it.
Learn what mental illness is and what it isn’t
We need to remember that even though so many have found healing, or are in the process of healing, millions are suffering from mental illness and are not getting the help that they need, due to no access to services, being unaware of services, afraid or ashamed to seek services, or not recognizing their own illness.
Even if you don’t suffer from a mental illness issue yourself, the chances are that you know someone who does. There are over 20 million people in the US alone. So learn what to look for, and find out how to help someone who might be struggling.
Show and spread compassion
Love on them, and help educate others, in our schools, in our churches, and in a workplaces. The more people are educated on mental illness, the more we can help and the less shame, discrimination and stigma others will have to face.
Go to this page for more information, resources and to share your own story.
This is the 8th post in a 31 Day Series: 31 Days to Peace: Finding inner peace for anxiety and panic attacks. Start from the beginning here.
