Since 1990, Congress has assigned the first week of October as Mental Illness Awareness Week (MIAW), with special events sponsored by the National Alliance for the Mentally Ill (NAMI). During MIAW, millions of Americans will be honoring the challenges encountered by mental illness as well as celebrating the recoveries they or their loved ones have embraced.
During this week each year, Thursday is designated as Bipolar Disorder Awareness Day (BDAD). This is an opportunity to reach out to persons living with bipolar disorder in your communities, your family members and friends. Bipolar Disorder Awareness Day also represents a great opportunity to help shape public commitment to early intervention and screening for bipolar disorder and access to effective treatment.
There are many other things each of us can do to help in the monumental task of erasing the stigma and discrimination of mental illness. You may not be able to plan a huge community event or donate scads of money, but there are numerous ways to get involved.
- Donate A Book To Your Public Library
There are now so many wonderful books available on the topic of Bipolar Disorder. Check out your library and see what they have to offer ... or don't have to offer. You can then select a book or two to fill in any gaps your library may have. We have compiled a list of recommended reading. - Share Your Story
Civic groups, church groups, schools and many others are often looking for people to speak on various topics. If you are comfortable and can offer a positive or educational outlook on mental health and the surrounding issues, then volunteer to share your story with an interested group.Not comfortable with public speaking? Perhaps you have a family member or friend with whom you've wanted to talk for some time. Why not sit down and have that heart-to-heart you've been putting off? I do offer this suggestion with an ounce of caution. There are those who simply cannot be sympathetic or understanding. Use your best judgment when considering with whom you should share your story.
- Volunteer Your Services
Volunteer your services with an advocacy group, a nonprofit organization, a soup kitchen, a shelter, etc. Hands-on help is always in demand and very much appreciated. - Write Your Congressman
Contacting Congress provides information for contacting representatives from all 50 states. E-mail addresses where available are included, so go ahead and drop your representative a line to let him or her know how much their support is needed to address the many issues surrounding mental illness. - Join An Advocacy Group
You may also want to consider becoming a member of a national organization that advocates and provides support for those with Bipolar Disorder. The National Alliance for the Mentally Ill (NAMI) is a nonprofit, grassroots, self-help, support and advocacy organization of consumers, families, and friends of people with severe mental illnesses.Another choice is The Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance (DBSA) . This group is the nation’s leading patient-directed organization focusing on the most prevalent mental illnesses -- depression and bipolar disorder.
