Since 1990, the first full week in October has been  designated as  Mental Illness Awareness Week (MIAW). Now celebrating their 19th year of raising awareness, the 1,100 National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) affiliates throughout the country recognize this week.

These affiliates provide information advocacy, support and education to promote early detection, accurate diagnosis, and reduction of  the stigma associated with mental illness. NAMI is the nation's largest grassroots mental health organization dedicated to improving the lives of individuals and families affected by mental illness. That is because one in four adults lives with depression, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), obsessive compulsive disorder, phobias or other mental illnesses every year. That's almost 60 million Americans.

Even in good times, there is an average of 16 million new cases of depression each year. Mental illness does not discriminate. It can strike anyone at any time. Two million Americans live with schizophrenia - twice the number of those with HIV/AIDS. One in five veterans of Iraq and Afghanistan - almost 300,000 troops - will experience major depression or PTSD upon returning home.

The military has initiated a screening program prior to deployment of individuals in an effort to reduce the number of suicide attempts in our armed forces.
Unfortunately, two-thirds of people who live with mental illnesses do not receive treatment. More than a third of those suffering from depression never receive treatment. But treatment works. Recovery is possible.

Every voter needs to contact their representatives to stress that treatment for  mental illness should be covered under any health care reform plan considered.
For more information, contact the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) at (800) 950-NAMI (6264) or visit www.nami.org.  NAMI-Monroe County: call (423) 420-9866 or visitwww.namitn.org.