The National Mental Illness Awareness Week will kick off on October 5, 2008 through October 11, 2008! So, I was wondering, what is your favorite mental illness?
That's right. Choose any mental illness that you or a family member may have or that you think you/he/she may have. That will be your "favorite" mental illness today. Now, let's see how much you know about that mental illness. I'm waiting. Tell me everything you know already about your favorite mental illness....
I want to know how does your family cope with that individual and his or her symptoms? Is he or she able to work? Does he or she keep the family walking on egg shells hoping he or she does not "explode?" Does he or she exercise and eat right daily? What about medicine? Are they taking their medications daily and how involved are you with the mental healthcare process for that individual/yourself?
The percentage of American citizens suffering from a mental illness is shocking! One in 5 families are directly affected by mental illness, 1 in 100 people will be diagnosed with schizophrenia, up to 9 percent of children between the ages of 5 - 17 are affected by early signs of a mental illness (i.e., ADHD) which can develop into a more serious mental illness (i.e., Bipolar) if left untreated, and African-Americans are the least race group to seek mental healthcare treatment.
Is it hard for you/loved one to get out of bed and start the day? Do you/loved one spend most of the week aching and tired and laying around with little or no interest in socializing, work, television, etc.? Are you constantly crying inside or out? Are you/loved one obsessively and/or compulsively replaying arguments or events in your mind? Have you/loved one lost your appetite? Are you experiencing frequent anxiety or panic attacks? Do you experience hopeless thoughts and think about suicide (If your loved one is experiencing this, chances are he or she WILL NOT tell you)?
The economic cost of untreated mental illness is more than 100 billion dollars each year in America! Mental illness leads to unemployment, domestic violence, homelessness, suicide, poverty, poor academic performance, substance abuses, and crime! Do we really need these issues running rampant in our community any longer?
What are mental illnesses? They include brain disorders such as (now its time to pick your favorite mental illness):
Bipolar
Schizophrenia
Obsessive/Compulsive Disorders
ADD/ADHD
Post Traumatic Stress Disorder
Anxiety Disorder
Alzheimers
Dementia
Eating Disroders
Substance Abuses
Persistent Self-worthlessness
Depression (to name a few).
All of these mental illnesses, though NOT curable, can be treated with medication and therapy.
Did you know that the holiday season is the single-most time of year that people will suffer from depression? This may be due to the lost of a loved one, economy, or anxiety. Are you emotionally and psychologically ready for this year's holidays? Are you dreading them?
Did you know that grieving the loss of a loved one or a job is a natural process that can include long periods of depression or suicidal thoughts? There is help available to you/loved one if these feelings of intense sadness become persistent.
Did you know that mental illness affects the whole family? Family relationships can be torn apart when a family member is not being treated for his or her mental illness. Did you know that free and/or affordable help exists?
Suffer no more! Mental illness is a brain disorder that can be treated with medication and therapy. Access to mental healthcare is improving daily with healthcare providers, government, foundations, and organizations as awareness increases! BE INFORMED AND ACT NOW! Please visit any of the following websites 24 hours a day, seven days a week, for help near you:
National Association on Mental Illness at
www.nami.org ;or
Depression & Bipolar Support Alliance at
www.dbsalliance.org; National Medical Association at
www.nmet.org; American Association of Pastoral Counselors at
www.aapc.org; Depression&Bipolar Support Alliance at
www.dbsalliance.org; Child & Bipolar Foundation at
www.bpkids.org; National Foundation for Depressive Illness, Inc. at
www.depression.org; Association for Alzheimers at
www.alz.org; or
Narcotics Anonymous at
www.na.org. Now, how much do you really know about your favorite mental illness?
Today, I wish you are the person who knows the most about a mental illness because you are willing to help someone living with a mental illness (including yourself).
Agnes ~ Too Wise Not To Praise Him!
Author of: "Cooling Well Water: A Collection of Work By An African-American Bi-Polar Woman." Winter 2008 Release Pending. ISBN 0975461206
Founder/President of Levine-Oliver Publisher - the exclusive publishing home of Swaggie Coleman. Experience Swaggie's Voice© at
http://swaggiecoleman.blogspot.com and support her AAMBC Award Nomination by casting your vote at
http://aambcvoting.com!
Posted By: agnes levine
Sunday, October 19th 2008 at 4:27PM
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