Press release:
NAMI Western Carolina (namiwnc.org), a local affiliate of NAMI, the
National Alliance on Mental Illness, will observe Mental Health Month in May to raise
awareness about mental illness. One in five adults in the United States lives with a mental
health condition. Half of all lifetime mental health conditions begin by age 14 and 75
percent by age 24, but early intervention programs can help.
To help inspire awareness during Mental Health Month, NAMI Western Carolina will
celebrate a theme of “Into Mental Health: Inspired, Informed, Involved.”
NAMI Western Carolina, in partnership with All Souls Counseling Center, will have a
Mental Wellness Walk to culminate their Mental Health Month recognition. The Walk will
be Saturday, June 17th, 2017, in Carrier and French Broad River Parks. Check-in at the
Carrier Park Pavilion at 9:00 AM. To register, go to www.mentalwellnesswalk.org. There
will be music, resource displays, and refreshments. Raise awareness! Promote mental
health! Break the stigma!
“Nearly 60 million people in the United States face the day-to-day reality of living with a
mental illness, and every American is affected through their friends and family,” said
Paulette Heck, NAMI WC Board President. Throughout the year, NAMI, the National
Alliance on Mental Illness, launches campaigns to raise awareness of mental health
conditions. This year, during the month of May for Mental Health Month, we are asking
everyone to join with us to say, ‘I’m into mental health.’ Our goal is to inspire people to
build better lives for millions of people with mental illness.”
Mental Health Month is an opportunity to take action, and become inspired, informed and
involved to help others. Together, we aim to provide support, advocate for equal care, and
fight stigma. Stigma is a sign or sense of disgrace that sets someone apart from others.
Navigating life with a mental health condition can be tough, and the isolation and blame
that is often encouraged by stigma can create huge challenges to moving forward in one’s
recovery journey.
For additional information about Mental Health Month, and to access resources and
suggested activities, visit: nami and nami.org/intomentalhealth.
The National Alliance on Mental Illness is the nation’s largest grassroots mental health
organization dedicated to improving the lives of individuals and families affected by mental
illness. www.nami.org | www.facebook.com/nami | http://twitter.com/namicommunicate
Before you comment
The comments section is here to provide a platform for civil dialogue on the issues we face together as a local community. Xpress is committed to offering this platform for all voices, but when the tone of the discussion gets nasty or strays off topic, we believe many people choose not to participate. Xpress editors are determined to moderate comments to ensure a constructive interchange is maintained. All comments judged not to be in keeping with the spirit of civil discourse will be removed and repeat violators will be banned. See here for our terms of service. Thank you for being part of this effort to promote respectful discussion.