MANSFIELD — NAMI Richland County, the National Alliance on Mental Illness, will observe May as Mental Health Month to raise awareness about mental illness.
One in five adults in the United States lives with a mental health condition. Half of all lifetime mental health conditions begin by age 14 and 75 percent by age 24, but early intervention programs can help.
To help inspire awareness during Mental Health Month, NAMI Richland County will celebrate the theme of “Into Mental Health: Inspired, Informed, Involved.”
Joe Trolian, Executive Director of the Richland County Mental Health & Recovery Services Board will be the special speaker at the support group on May 15 at 6:30 p.m. in the board building at 87 East First Street.
He will be updating NAMI on mental health and addiction services here in our county and how families can advocate for their loved one and stay involved.
“Nearly 60 million people in the United States face the day-to-day reality of living with a mental illness and every American is affected through their friends and family,” said Mary Kay Pierce, Executive Director of NAMI Richland County. Throughout the year, NAMI, the National Alliance on Mental Illness, launches campaigns to raise awareness of mental health conditions.
“This year, during the month of May for Mental Health Month, we are asking everyone to join with us to say, I’m in to mental health. Our goal is to inspire people to build better lives for millions of people with mental illness.”
Mental Health Month is an opportunity to take action, and become inspired, informed and involved to help others. Together, the NAMI organization aim sto provide support, advocate for equal care and fight stigma. Stigma is a sign or sense of disgrace that sets someone apart from others. Navigating life with a mental health condition can be tough, and the isolation and blame that is often encouraged by stigma can create huge challenges to moving forward in one’s recovery journey.
For additional information about Mental Health Month, and to access resources and suggested activities contact the NAMI Richland County office at 419-522-6264 or visit our national website at www.nami.org/mhm and www.nami.org/intomentalhealth.
