In 1990, the U.S. Congress established the first full week of October as Mental Illness Awareness Week (MIAW) in recognition of NAMI’s efforts to raise mental illness awareness. Since then, mental health advocates across the country have joined with others in their communities to sponsor activities, large or small, for public education about mental illness.
Why is MIAW Important?
Each year millions of Americans face the reality of living with a mental health condition. During the first full week of October, NAMI and par-ticipants across the country are bringing awareness to mental illness. Each year we fight stigma, provide support, educate the public and ad-vocate for equal care. Each year, the movement grow stronger. We be-lieve that these issues are important to address year-round, but high-lighting these issues during #MIAW provides a time for people to come together and display the passion and strength of those working to im-prove the lives of the tens of millions of Americans affected by mental illness.
NAMI Kane County North volunteers will be hosting information tables are Jewel, 1660 Larkin Ave. Elgin, on October 1, 2016 from 10am—2pm. Stop and chat with volunteers, pick up some mental health litera-ture, and take home a free “Iris Day” bookmark!
Laurie Huske, NAMI Kane County North
For more information on how you can join in NAMI’s mission to edu-cate, advocate for and support people with mental illness and their families, go to www.namikcn.org
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