[…] challenge. Loved ones often feel that increased community awareness of suicide could have saved the life of someone dear to them. Or that if there were less stigma about mental health challenges, then people would be more comfortable seeking help. For those reasons, a community’s efforts around suicide prevention will typically focus on awareness […]
[…] you doing to observe it? In 1990, Congress proclaimed MIAW as a means of increasing public understanding of mental illness, promoting treatment and helping to eliminate the stigma imposed on it. There are many other “awareness” months, weeks and days throughout the year for many causes. For the most part, national news media don’t […]
[…] about it should not be left to luck or to going through years of struggle. Unfortunately, lack of information and understanding about mental health conditions perpetuate the stigma attached to these illnesses and prevent communities across the country from talking about them and helping people understand that it is okay to have a mental […]
[…] talking about it and seeking professional help were crucial aspects to regaining and maintaining our mental health. However, we also faced a few additional challenges in the process: Stigma—Vulnerability to judgment was a huge burden before grasping that mental illness as any other illness had biological causes and was treatable. Unfamiliarity with the health care […]
[…] never hesitated to speak out against the prejudice and discrimination that traditionally exists against people living with mental illness. In discussing violent tragedies and debating gun control, stigma runs high. Millions of Americans have a diagnosable mental illness . They are unfairly stigmatized after mass shootings. That’s why the rhetoric of the National Rifle […]
[…] The personal stories will provide an opportunity for people in the community to know they are not alone in living with a mental illness while also reducing stigma. We are asking people to fill out pledge cards that include three steps to “Make It OK” which include to learn more, start talking and to […]
The Chocolate Debacle By Karen Winters Schwartz Goodman Beck Publishing (2014) Purchase Living with mental illness every day—combined with societal stigma and the frustration toward a broken mental health care system—can feel insurmountable. As the president of NAMI Syracuse and a public speaker and advocate, Karen Winters Schwartz is very much aware of the […]
[…] And some people never recover from mental illness; others only partially recover. To provide support you may need to equip yourself with education and knowledge. You Can Fight Stigma You can’t control what other people think, say, and do, but you do have control over yourself. Even if you don’t know someone who lives with […]
[…] mentally and energetically for the semester ahead as a NAMI intern. At the rally, leaders of mental health organizations from around the nation spoke of ending the stigma, stereotypes, discrimination and dehumanization that surrounds those with mental illness. With these pervasive issues present, it is difficult for people to come forward and seek help. […]
[…] of the release to the Station Manager and/or News Director of your local ABC station. Ask them to drop the episode and to cover the impact of stigma on the nation’s mental health crisis on Wednesday’s newscasts. Join the Twitter conversation at #unmodernfamily. Post the NAMI press release on Facebook along with the Twitter […]
NAMI HelpLine is available M-F, 10 a.m. – 10 p.m. ET. Call 800-950-6264,
text “NAMI” to 62640, or email. In a crisis, call or text 988 (24/7).
