“Recent statistics from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention show that about half of American adults will develop a mental illness at some point in their lifetime,” says Douglas Jacobs, M.D., associate clinical professor of psychiatry at Harvard Medical School”
In 1990, Congress declared the first week of October as Mental Illness Awareness Week (MIAW) in recognition of the efforts of mental health advocates to educate the public about living with mental health challenges and what they are.
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Mental Health advocates join together during the first week of October to educate the public about mental health issues.
This year’s theme is “Its Time To Make a Difference,” and for today this is the best way we know how.
In 1990, I was diagnosed with a mental health condition. Without going into too much detail, I knew something wasn’t right when for days on end I couldn’t sleep, felt agitated and then wound up in bed paralyzed by the most disturbing of thoughts.
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LevittownNow doesn’t make a habit of writing personal accounts of dealing with life but in this instance maybe someone can be helped as a result of personal sharing.
My closest friends and family are aware of the condition I live with. Some don’t understand and others simply don’t care because they value me as who I am. Not as an illness.
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According to the Center for Disease and Control and Prevention, one in four families are affected by some form of a mental health challenge. Sadly, not many ever get the treatment needed or required to support the quest towards a fulfilling life.
For years I denied – and paid dearly. Losing friends and loved ones because I refused to get the help needed.
Thirteen years ago that changed for me after I accepted I had condition that requires daily maintenance. I manipulated my healthcare provider into taking me off the life-sustaining medicine I was taking. Within six weeks chaos ensued.
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Organizations such as Penn Foundation, Lenape Valley Foundation, The National Alliance of the Mentally Ill, have come to show me that I need not suffer alone or in shame.
“Recovery is more than possible, it is probable,” they all told me and I ran with it.
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Executive Director of NAMI Bucks, Debbie Moritz, who I consider to be part of my personal support network, is among the many great advocates in the area to speak to about how a life can be changed when awareness is mobilized.
On Monday, Moritz said: “Having an open and honest discussion about these issues is so important… people need to realize its not a death sentence and I want people to understand they were all simply people living with the same hopes and dreams.”
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A close friend, who I care deeply about, is now experiencing symptoms, still they think they can handle it on their own. I can only stand by and hope they change their minds.
As part of MIAW National Depression Screening Day, will be held on October 10, and serves as a supportive community initiative to connect the public with mental health screenings. Through this program, Lower Bucks Hospital is offering free mental health screenings, in the main lobby (through the main entrance by the gift shop) on Thursday, October 10 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m for those 18 and over. According to LBH Spokesperson, Joseph Delzingaro, the screenings are used for informational purposes so a person exhibiting symptoms associated with depression and other mood disorders can go and seek help.
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Like my friend, I hope this helps someone do just that.
Prior to coming to the field of journalism, Jeff Bohen worked for over 10 years in four states providing supportive services to those with mental health and drug and alcohol services. He also served as an advocate on the Bucks County Advisory Board for Mental Health and Developmental Programs.
