Mental Illness Awareness Week
At Green Shoe, mental health is not just something we teach, but it is something we strive to live and breathe. Having good mental health takes practice through self-care and self-love. These strong practices will allow you to appreciate oneself in ways that support your physical, psychological, and spiritual needs. However, there are times or situations when an individual struggles with a mental illness and the challenges it may bring to self-regulate. This is not just something that affects a few, everyone is affected by mental illness (either directly or indirectly). Odds are you yourself, or someone, such as a family member or co-worker experience such challenges. 1 in 5 US adults experiences mental illness each year while 1 in 20 US adults will experience a serious mental illness each year. 1 in 6 US youth between the ages of 6-17 cope with a mental health disorder each year.
Therefore October 3-8, 2022, is Mental Illness Awareness Week (MIAW). What is MIAW? In 1990, the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) worked with the US Congress to increase awareness about mental illness and decrease any stigma surrounding mental health. As a result, the first full week in October every year is deemed Mental Illness Awareness Week.
This year’s MIAW theme is “What I Wish I Had Known.” Throughout the week, NAMI and their affiliate partners will be sharing the voices of those who have lived experiences with their mental health challenges, aspects of their treatment, and recovery. According to the NAMI website, topics throughout the week will include: What I Wish I’d Known About …
Stigma: Monday, Oct. 3
Medication [National Day of Prayer for Mental Illness Recovery and Understanding]: Tuesday, Oct. 4
Therapy: Wednesday, Oct. 5
Disclosing [National Depression Screening Day]: Thursday, Oct. 6
Caregiving: Friday, Oct. 7
NAMI has a featured MIAW video series with real testimonies from individuals sharing their lived experiences with symptoms and conditions of a variety of mental health issues. When people share their stories, it allows them to take their voices back, increases their well-being, makes them feel less stigmatized, and hopefully empowers the next person to start the conversation about their mental health.
As we gear up for MIAW, we want to share the multiple ways you can get involved:
You can participate in NAMI’s Green Light Project by lighting up your porch with a green light.
Free yard signs and green bulbs are available in our front lobby.Share NAMI’s MIAW video series
Discover local support groups to start the conversation about your mental health
You can share your mental health struggles with family and friends
Join NAMI at OKC Skybridge October 5th for their Light Up Green event with onsite support
Register for a Green Shoe retreat to start your healing journey
If you or someone you know is struggling with a mental illness, the NAMI HelpLine is a free, nationwide peer-support service providing information, resource referrals, and support to people living with a mental health condition, their family members and caregivers, mental health providers, and the public.
The NAMI HelpLine can be reached Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. – 10 p.m., ET. Call 1-800-950-NAMI (6264), text "HelpLine" to 62640, or email NAMI at helpline@nami.org.
If you are having a mental health crisis, simply call or text 988 (24/7) to be connected to a local Lifeline crisis center. Once connected, a crisis counselor will listen to you and provide support and resources that may be helpful. The Lifeline offers both English and Spanish support as well as Language Line Solutions for over 250 additional languages. Texting 988 is currently available in English only. You can also chat live (24/7) with a crisis counselor by visiting 988lifeline.org/chat. The chat option includes possible wait time. For immediate assistance, call 988.
We want you to know that you are not alone. Your mental health matters. You matter. And, it is okay not to be okay.