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Mental Illness Awareness Week 2010: October 3-9, 2010

In 1990, the U.S. Congress established the first week of October as Mental Illness Awareness Week (MIAW) in recognition of NAMI's efforts to raise mental illness awareness. Since 1990, mental health advocates across the country have joined together during the first full week of October to celebrate.

MIAW has become a NAMI tradition. It presents an opportunity to all NAMI state organizations and affiliates across the country to work together in communities to achieve the NAMI mission through outreach, education and advocacy.

This year’s MIAW coincides with election season. The sample press release, letter to editors and op-ed article included below therefore incorporate NAMI’s “Mental Health Gets My Vote” election theme in addition to the general MIAW theme: “Changing Attitudes, Changing Lives.” Additional information about non-partisan election activity is at www.nami.org/elections.

The MIAW Idea Book below suggests many activities that can be incorporated into planning, regardless of whether or not the election theme is included. Stickers, posters and a web banner to use on websites or in documents are available for download in English and Spanish.

The National Day of Prayer for Mental Illness Recovery and Understanding is Tuesday, Oct. 5, 2010. Special resources for outreach to faith communities also can be downloaded.

Beginning Oct. 1, PBS television stations in some communities will begin airing the documentary Unlisted: A Story of Schizophrenia, which was screened at the 2010 NAMI national convention. The film also can be used a tool for MIAW or later public education efforts. Please check its website for more information.

Printed versions of the English poster and stickers are available in the NAMI bookstore separately and in a combination pack.

Start your MIAW preparation now and begin changing attitudes, changing lives!

MIAW Resources

Resource	Format	Download an 8 1/2 x 11" poster in English or Spanish. Buy an English version with space for filling in your affiliate name in the NAMI Bookstore.
2010 Idea Book	.pdf
Faith outreach during MIAW, including National Day of Prayer	.pdf
2010 Gubernatorial Proclamation	.doc
Model Press Release	.doc
Model Op-Ed	.doc
Model Letter to the Editor	.doc
Web banner - English	.gif
Web banner - Spanish	.gif
Poster 8 1/2 by 11" - English	.pdf
Poster 8 1/2 by 11" - Spanish	.pdf
Stickers - Avery 5294 - English	.pdf
Stickers - Avery 5294 - Spanish	.pdf
Logo - circle English	.eps
Logo - circle Spanish	.eps
T-shirt transfer (reversed) English	.pdf
T-shirt transfer (reversed) Spanish	.pdf
Print 12 stickers per page using Avery 5294 label template (English or Spanish) Buy three sheets of 20 English stickers per page in the NAMI bookstore. Download a t-shirt transfer (English or Spanish) for use with transfer paper.

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