October 2-8, 2022: It's Mental Illness Awareness Week.

Why on Earth do we need a mental illness awareness week?

Stigma. Judgment. Fear. Lack of education regarding mental illness and mental health treatment. Misrepresentation of mental illness in the media and on social platforms. Lack of awareness about getting treatment. The list goes on.

One in Five persons in the United States will experience mental illness. That in itself is a pretty good reason to have a mental illness awareness week! Sharing information and educating the public helps bust (end) stigma.

Mental Illness Awareness Week sends a positive message to those with mental illness:
...You are not alone.
...You Matter.
...Your mental health matters.
...You are not your mental illness.
...There is hope.

This year's NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Illness) theme is "What I Wish I had Known." Topics include:

Monday Oct. 3: Stigma
Tuesday Oct. 4: Medication [National Day of Prayer for Mental Illness Recovery and Understanding]
Wednesday Oct. 5: Therapy
Thursday Oct. 6: Disclosing [National Depression Screening Day]
Friday Oct. 7: Caregiving

For a quick introduction to NAMI and this year's theme, please check out https://www.nami.org/get-involved/awareness-events/mental-illness-awareness-week 
For an example of available NAMI videos for Mental Illness Awareness Week, please watch "Bipolar—What I Wish People Knew" https://youtu.be/m2e2H5G58BM

Locally, NAMI Northern Illinois is focused on investing in your mental health. The week starts with a self-care workshop: MONDAY, OCTOBER 3, Invest In Your Mental Health: Developing Self-Care Skills, 6-7:30PM,
Meraki Salon + Studio, 5324 Williams Drive, Roscoe, IL 61073; Self-care is defined as any intentional action you take to improve your physical, mental, and emotional health. Everyone has different needs, and it's important to know what yours are. Why not try some new ideas out? Join us to learn different techniques in yoga, Reiki, and aromatherapy.

For more information about this event, please follow this link: https://naminorthernillinois.org/event/invest-in-your-mental-health-developing-self-care-skills/

To register for this event: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/424136613027

Each day, Stepping Stones of Rockford will post something in recognition of Mental Illness Awareness Week. Please help us End the Silence and Bust the Stigma.