NAMI working to make mental illness stigma-free
Lynne Haley Staff Writer | Hagadone News Network | UPDATED 8 years, 8 months AGO
SANDPOINT — Stamping out the stigma is a prime objective of the National Alliance on Mental Illness during May, a month dedicated to raising people's awareness of the issues that get in the way of healing.
Mayor Shelby Rognstad welcomed representatives from NAMI Far North at last Wednesday's City Council meeting. They presented each person in attendance with a green ribbon to wear.
"Nearly 44 million American adults, and millions of children, experience mental health conditions each year, including depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, and post-traumatic stress. Although we have made progress expanding mental health coverage and elevating the conversation about mental health, too many people still do not get the help they need," said President Obama in an official statement about National Mental Health Awareness Month, 2016.
"This month, we renew our commitment to ridding our society of the stigma associated with mental illness, encourage those living with mental health conditions to get the help they need, and reaffirm our pledge to ensure those who need help have access to the support, acceptance, and resources they deserve," he said.
Throughout history, common lore has painted the mentally ill as dangerous, frightening, pathetic or less than human, creating a stigma that surrounds mental illness to the present day. Stigma engenders discrimination, affecting a person's ability to get housing, find a job or make friends, according to the Mayo Clinic.
It also makes people who need help the most more reluctant to seek it, for fear of what others will think. Additionally, some health insurance companies do not cover specific mental health care, so that some people cannot afford the help they need, according to Mayo.
NAMI's steps to combat stigma include education about mental illness, treating each person with empathy and understanding, and taking action on mental health issues to help promote better legislation that protects the rights of the mentally ill.
Representatives of NAMI Far North will be talking about their cause at the Bonner General Health and Safety Fair Saturday, May 7.
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