Mental Illness Awareness Week 2020

Almost one in five adults in the United States have a mental illness.¹

Although you may not be aware of it, your friend, family member, teacher, or coworker could currently be suffering from a mental illness. In the past, those struggling with mental health disorders were likened to an extreme image including violent and irrational behaviors that often sentenced them to life in mental health facilities. In reality, mental illness falls on a wide spectrum and affects more people than many realize

Mental Illness Awareness Week (MIAW) is a way to break down these lingering stereotypes from the past, educate the general public, and acknowledge those who are directly or indirectly impacted by these disorders. The theme of Mental Illness Awareness Week 2020 is “What People with Mental Illness Want You to Know”², and the focus will be on having those who personally struggling with mental illness share their stories. The hope is that by hearing about other personal experiences and struggles with mental illness, those exaggerated stereotypes surrounding mental illness can finally be put to rest.

How to Participate in Mental Illness Awareness Week 2020

This year Mental Illness Awareness Week falls from Sunday, October 4th to Saturday, October 10th which is also World Mental Health Day. Whether you struggle with mental illness yourself or know someone who does, you can do your part to make MIAW 2020 a success and fight harmful stereotypes.

Some of the ways you can participate in Mental Illness Awareness Week 2020 include:

• Sharing your experiences related to mental illness whether or not you have struggled with mental illness yourself
• Taking the time to educate yourself on mental illness
• Acknowledging loved ones who have a mental illness and asking them about their experiences
• Posting about MIAW 2020 on social media
• Participating in any mental health events in your area
• Speaking out against harmful stereotypes or misconceptions about mental health
• Volunteering your time to a mental health organization or donating money to these causes

Just because you may not be battling a mental illness yourself, doesn’t mean there isn’t anything you can do. If you have a mental health disorder and have yet to get help, now is the time. At Banyan Mental Health, we offer a variety of mental health treatment programs to help people with different mental health disorders and varying degrees of mental illness get the treatment they need to move forward.

Mental illness doesn’t have to control your life or the life of someone you care about. Get help today by calling 888-280-4763.

Sources:

1. NIH- Mental Illness
2. NAMI- Mental Illness Awareness Week