Mental Illness Awareness Week (MIAW) 2011

October 2-8 is Mental Illness Awareness Week (MIAW), an opportunity to learn about serious mental illnesses such as major depression, bipolar disorder and schizophrenia.

Mental illness is a medical illness—it does not discriminate. One in four adults experiences a mental disorder in any given year. One in 17 adults lives with serious mental illness such as schizophrenia, major depression or bipolar disorder.

Early identification and intervention result in better outcomes; treatment works, but only if a person can get it. Both people with existing illnesses and those, who face hard economic times, may experience anxiety or depression for the first time, and need access to treatment. People who live with mental illness are family members, friends and neighbors.

During MIAW, talk with friends and neighbors about mental illness and recovery. It’s an opportunity to learn facts and end myths to help break the stigma—and silence— that has often surrounded the topic. By changing attitudes, we can change lives.

For more information, visit www.nami.org to learn more about mental illness as well as education, support and advocacy programs to help individuals and families affected by mental illness.

Call Harmony Healthcare today for a free, confidential alcohol assessment at 1-702-251-8000.

When many people think of alcohol abusers, they picture teenagers sneaking drinks before high school football games or at unsupervised parties. However, alcohol abuse is prevalent within many demographic groups in the United States. People who abuse alcohol can also be college students who binge drink at local bars, pregnant women who put their babies at risk for fetal alcohol syndrome when they drink, professionals who drink after a long day of work, or senior citizens who drink out of loneliness.

In 2002, almost 23 percent (54 million) of Americans participated in binge drinking within 30 days prior to taking SAMHSA’s National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH) . In addition, 14.9 million Americans were classified as abusing alcohol or being alcohol dependent.

Whether the person is you or someone you care about, help is here. Reach out today.