Mental Illness Awareness Week 2023: Together We Share, Together We Care

By John Smart, LSCSW, Behavioral Health Clinician

The National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) shares the following statement for Mental Illness Awareness Week (MIAW):

Each year, millions of Americans face the reality of living with a mental health condition — but mental illness affects everyone directly or indirectly through family, friends or coworkers. That is why each year, during the first week of October, NAMI and participants across the country raise awareness, fight discrimination and provide support.
National Alliance on Mental Illness

We believe that mental health conditions are important to discuss all year, but MIAW provides a dedicated time for mental health advocates across the country to come together as one unified voice. Since 1990, when Congress officially established the first full week of October as MIAW, advocates have worked together to sponsor activities, large or small, to educate the public about mental illness.

Mental Illness Awareness

Mental illness awareness can be effectively approached on an individual and family level through considering the factors that contribute to our overall mental health, and remembering that mental health depends on many variables: addressing physical health needs, avoiding addictive substances, connecting with others in mutually supportive ways (this can include friends, family, volunteer work, spiritual support and pets), balancing needs for daily rest and activity and practicing mindfulness of our overall well-being. Mental illness awareness also includes advocacy and education. NAMI has a variety of tools and resources to support advocacy and education. NAMI and several other mental health advocacy organizations also provide connection to local support groups.