LAKE COUNTY, Calif. — During the first full week of October, Lake County Behavioral Health Services is raising awareness of mental illness.
Every year millions of Americans deal with the reality of living with a mental health condition. Mental illness affects all of us directly or indirectly, through family, co-workers or friends.
Each day, Lake County Behavioral Health Services staff provide support, fight stigma, advocate for equal care and strive to educate the community around mental health.
The United States Congress established Mental Illness Awareness Week in 1990, to recognize efforts by the National Alliance on Mental Illness, or NAMI, to educate and increase awareness about mental illness.
“This year’s campaign is ‘Together for Mental Health,’ an appropriate and community-minded theme which resonates during these unprecedented times,” said Todd Metcalf, director of Lake County Behavioral Health Services. “Mental Illness Awareness Week provides a time for people to unite, and recognize the passion and strength of those working to improve the lives of those affected by mental illness.”
According to NAMI, about one in five adults is believed to be experiencing some form of mental illness. That number may be even higher, as stigma tends to reduce reporting.
In addition, the National Comorbidity Survey Replication Study showed 45% of adults affected by mental illness meet criteria for two or more mental disorders.
These range from common mood disorders to the much more serious anxiety, depression and schizophrenia disorders. Anxiety disorders tend to be the most common, affecting approximately 40 million American adults.
Mental health programs and services provided by Lake County Behavioral Health Services are designed to offer robust community-based partnerships with individuals and families grappling with serious mental illness, including those who have co-occurring mental health and substance use disorders.
Recovery-oriented services include assistance establishing stable housing, medications management, access to physical health care, trauma-informed counseling and peer supports.
During Mental Illness Awareness Week, Sunday, Oct. 3, through Saturday, Oct. 9, please join Lake County Behavioral Health Services in shining a light on mental illness and replacing stigma with hope.
For more information, please contact Lake County Behavioral Health at 707-274-9101 or 707-994-7090.
Oct. 3 to 9 is Mental Illness Awareness Week
- Lake County News reports