Every year, during the first week of October, NAMI and participants across the country raise awareness for mental illness, fight discrimination and provide support through Mental Illness Awareness Week. The purpose of this awareness week is to provide a dedicated time for mental health advocates across the country to come together as one unified voice. Since 1990, Congress has officially established the first full week of October as Mental Illness Awareness Week. Advocates all over the country work together to sponsor activities to educate the public about mental illness.
This years Mental Illness Awareness Week is centered around the theme of “What I Wish I Had Known” where we will focus on the power of lived experiences to talk about the components of their recovery where they learned something that could have helped them sooner. Each day will have a different topic for mental illness.
Monday, October 3rd: Stigma
Tuesday, October 4th: Medication (National Day of Prayer for Mental Illness Recovery and Understanding)
Wednesday, October 5th: Therapy
Thursday, October 6th: Disclosing (National Depression Screening Day)
Friday, October 7th: Caregiving