NAMI Raises Awareness by Dispelling Harmful Myths About Mental Illness

Oct 7, 2019

Arlington, VA – In honor of Mental Illness Awareness Week (MIAW) on October 6-12, 2019, the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) and its affiliates across the country are raising awareness and dispelling some of the common myths about mental illness. Too often, people with mental illness are marginalized, isolated and discriminated against because their conditions are misunderstood by the general public. This is why NAMI, as a leading voice, is setting the record straight with this year’s MIAW campaign.

Since 1990, when Congress officially established the first full week of October as MIAW, advocates have worked together to sponsor activities, large and small, to educate the public and increase understanding about mental illness.
While mental illness is important to discuss all year, highlighting important topics during MIAW provides a dedicated time for advocates to come together as one unified voice. This year, NAMI is calling on everyone to become informed, dispel the harmful myths surrounding mental illness and increase acceptance in our communities.

“Every year during MIAW, we educate the public, raise awareness and advocate for better access to quality mental health care. And each year, our movement grows stronger,” said Angela Kimball, Acting NAMI CEO. “We are calling on everyone to join NAMI in dispelling harmful myths because the impact of one person understanding and helping another has an important ripple effect.”

NAMI continues to amplify the WhyCare? campaign throughout the week, which emphasizes how the “power of caring” can impact individuals affected by mental illness. NAMI encourages people to share why they care about mental health and what they are doing personally or for their communities by using the hashtags #WhyCare and #NAMICares.

NAMI offers information about mental illness, symptoms and treatment at www.nami.org or through the HelpLine at 800-950-NAMI (6264). Learn more about Mental Illness Awareness Week at www.nami.org/miaw.

The National Alliance on Mental Illness is the nation’s largest grassroots mental health organization dedicated to improving the lives of individuals and families affected by mental illness. Join the conversation at  nami.org | facebook.com/nami | instagram.com/namicommunicate | twitter.com/namicommunicate  #WhyCare and #NAMICares