Mental Illness Awareness Week October 6-12: Why Care?

Mental Illness Awareness Week October 6-12, 2019: Why Care?

Mental Illness Awareness Week takes place from October 6 – 12, 2019. Each year, millions of Americans find themselves faced with a serious mental health issue. Today, we know more than ever about how mental illness affects us all directly or indirectly through family, friends or coworkers. However, our knowledge has not stopped the stigma and misunderstanding that surrounds mental illness.  This year, October 10 is World Mental Health Day and National Depression Screening Day. Just like a screening for diabetes or high blood pressure, a mood disorder screening for the public has been offered for more than 25 years for National Depression Screening Day (NDSD). The program provides free, anonymous screenings for depression, generalized anxiety disorder, bipolar disorder and post-traumatic stress disorder, as well as referrals to treatment resources.

Awareness Brings Change

Help Yourself and Help Others – Take an anonymous screening by visiting screening.mentalhealthscreening.org/hyho to learn more about screening for NDSD.  

This year’s theme for this important week is 7 Days, 7 Ways. Many people do not seek treatment in the early stages of mental illnesses because they don’t recognize the symptoms. During Mental Illness Awareness Week, MHA will focus on sharing information about 7 major mental health conditions:

• Anxiety
• Bipolar Disorder
• Psychosis
• Eating Disorders
• Depression (On October 10 to coincide with World Mental Health Day and National Depression Screening Day)
• PTSD
• Addiction/Substance Use Disorder

‍

Whether you tell one person, talk to a doctor or mental health professional or become an advocate for mental health awareness, it’s important to reach out to help yourself and help others. Mental health conditions are important to discuss all year, but highlighting them during Mental Illness Awareness Week provides a dedicated time for advocates across the country to come together as one unified voice.

About Niznik Behavioral Health

Niznik Behavioral Health is a national provider of behavioral health services for adolescents and adults with Joint Commission accredited facilities specializing in a full continuum of care including safe and comfortable medical detox programs, residential treatment, partial hospitalization programs (PHP), intensive outpatient programs (IOP) and outpatient (OP) services, as well as assistance with aftercare through our Alumni programs.