Mental Illness Awareness Week

Each year during the first week of October, the National Alliance on Mental Illness participates in Mental Illness Awareness week. This week focuses predominantly on education and advocacy. During this time, NAMI sponsors events and activities to educate the public on mental health. This year in particular, NAMI is focusing on 5 mental illnesses. 

Image via:  NAMI

Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder: OCD is “characterized by repetitive, unwanted, intrusive thoughts (obsessions) and irrational, excessive urges to do certain actions (compulsions).” More than 2% of the population will be diagnosed with OCD.

Borderline Personality Disorder: Typically trouble regulating emotion, resulting in unstable mood swings, impulsivity and instability, and poor self image. 1.6-5.9% of the population had BPD

Dual Diagnosis: When an individual is experiencing mental illness and substance abuse at the same time. 7.9 million people in the United States experience dual diagnosis.

Depression: Experienced by 16 million people, Depression is a mental illness that goes far beyond sadness & requires diagnosis and treatment.

Schizophrenia: Affects 1% of America and is characterized by hallucinations, delusions, cognitive issues, and other negative symptoms.

Speak up & Stop the stigma. To learn more, visit nami.org.

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