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NAMI, HOSA pair to raise mental illness awareness

The Winchester Sun - 10/4/2017

Mental Illness Awareness Week is Oct. 1 through 7.

Each year, the first full week of October provides an opportunity to fight stigma, provide support, educate the public and advocate for equal care.

Clark County Area Technology Center HOSA (Health Occupations Students of America) and NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Illness) Winchester-Clark County are partnering to provide mental illness awareness in the high school and the community .

One in five adults experiences mental illness problems every year, and 50 percent of chronic mental illness begins by age 14. Although many people today understand that mental illness is a medical condition, individuals and families affected by mental illness are still often subjected to stigma and discrimination.

This year, NAMI is calling on everyone to get "Into Mental Health" and replace stigma with hope.

In addition, as part of Mental Illness Awareness Week, National Depression Screening Day will be Thursday, Oct. 5. Organizations around the world are encouraged to offer free, anonymous questionnaires that can help individuals identify potential signs of depression. Learn more at www.mentalhealthscreening.org/programs/ndsd.

"We are calling on everyone to join NAMI and replace stigma with hope by pledging to be #StigmaFree," Brenda Harrington, of NAMI Winchester-Clark County, said.

To take the #StigmaFree pledge, visit www.nami.org/stigmafree. NAMI offers information about mental illness conditions, symptoms and treatment at www.nami.org or through its HelpLine at 800-950-NAMI (6264).

Learn more about Mental Illness Awareness Week at www.nami.org/miaw

NAMI Winchester-Clark County support groups meet the first and third Monday of each month from 7 to 8:30 p.m. at the Emmanuel Episcopal Church, McCready Hall, 2410 W. Lexington Ave. There are groups for family and friends and also for peers.

For more information, call 749-3702.