Sitting in a large meeting hall about a month ago, a question came from one of the speakers I was listening to that that made quite an impact:

“How many of us have been affected in some way by Mental Illness?”

I turned to look at the other hundred or so people in that hall. Old, young, women, men, multiple races and nationalities, people dressed in three piece suits and those dressed in t-shirts and jeans, those who were known public figures and those who would blend in with the crowd…

Every hand in that room was up.

One of the greatest obstacles to recovery from mental illness is stigma. It stops people from being open about their problems and from getting the help they or a loved one need, but as I looked into the faces of those in that hall, there was no hesitancy, no shame, no meekness…

Every hand in that room was up.

Working for a Managed Behavioral Health Company I hear and see the stats on mental illness daily. One illness affects 1 out of 4, another, 4 out of 5, yet another 7 out of 10. I can tell you first hand those stats don’t tell the whole story…

Every hand in that room was up.

Mental Illness affects us all. Maybe it’s a loved one, a friend, a colleague, or a neighbor. Those who suffer from mental illness are not alone, those seeking help are not alone, and those who know someone with a mental illness are not alone…

Every hand in that room was up.

The odds are good we all know someone or have had our lives in some way touched by someone with a mental illness. I know it has touched my life…

My hand in that room was up.

October is a National Depression and Mental Health Screen Month. Within October is also Mental Illness Awareness Week (October 4-10,) Depression Screening Day (October 8,) and World Mental Health Day (October 10.) I encourage you to check out our News section each of those days to find links to learn more about each. Also please look around our site to learn more about mental illness by checking out our Behavioral Health Resources Section. Join us and our great Community Outreach Partners in becoming more aware of mental illness and fighting the stigma…

In other words, put your hand up.

Bobby DiPasquale

Web Specialist

Tags: awareness, behavioral, bi-polar, depression, health, illness, manic, mental, october, schizophrenia
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On Saturday August 29th, the Cenpatico Cleveland office participated in the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) Walk. NAMI works not only to help support those with mental illnesses, but also looks to educate the community to better understand mental illness by fighting the stigma of mental illnesses. NAMI also work as advocates for those with mental illnesses by working with lawmakers to better help the lives of those with mental illnesses.

The 13 member Cleveland team raised roughly $1000 for NAMI. Along with the Cleveland Team, Cenpatico is putting together NAMI walk teams across many of our markets. NAMI will hold 74 walks in 2009. All are welcome to create or join a Walk Team. To find one in your area check out the NAMI Walks page.

Cenpatico is a proud sponsor of NAMI and NAMI Walks throughout the country.

Tags: awareness, behavioral, care, Cleveland, depression, health, healthcare, hope, illness, mental, NAMI, recovery, resiliency, results, schizophrenia, stigma, walk
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