Mental Illness Awareness Week

A mental illness is a physical illness of the brain that causes disturbances in thinking, behavior, energy or emotion that make it difficult to cope with the ordinary demands of life.

1 in 20 U.S. Adults experience Serious Mental Illnesses (SMI) each year, but less than two-thirds get treatment.

This week is dedicated to raising mental illness awareness. Mental illness affects everyone directly or indirectly through family, friends or coworkers. That is why each year, during the first week of October, National Alliance on Mental Health (NAMI) and participants across the country raise awareness of mental illness, fight discrimination and provide support through Mental Illness Awareness Week (MIAW).

We believe that mental health conditions are important to discuss year-round, but highlighting them during mental illness awareness week provides a dedicated time for mental health advocates across the country to come together as one unified voice.

Let’s break the mental health stigma that leaves so many people suffering in secret.

This year’s MIAW is centered around our new awareness campaign, “Together for Mental Health,” where we will focus on the importance of advocating for better care for people with serious mental illness .