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Persons with mental illnesses should seek help

Herald-Tribune - 10/10/2016

Community Mental Health Center, Lawrenceburg, other mental health providers and advocates for mental health care throughout the United States are continuing to work together with hundreds of thousands of Americans to support mental health care services and to provide education about mental illnesses.

This mission was highlighted during National Mental Illness Awareness Week, which was celebrated Oct. 2-8 with the theme "Shine a Light on Mental Illness." The event focused on raising awareness of mental illnesses and their impact on individuals, families and society in general, and on replacing the stigma surrounding mental illness with hope for treatment and recovery.

National Alliance for the Mentally Ill leaders hope everyone will talk about mental health and share what they know and what they learn with family, friends and others. This is also a time to free everyone from stereotypes that too often discourage people from getting help when they need it.

One in five adults experiences mental illness problems every year; however, 50 percent of cases of chronic mental illness begin by age 14 and three-quarters by age 24. Although many people today understand mental illness is a medical condition, individuals and families affected by mental illness are still often subjected to stigma and discrimination.

Common and well-known mental illnesses include depression, bipolar disorder and schizophrenia. Other types of mental illness include attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and anxiety disorders (including post-traumatic stress disorder).

"We are calling on everyone to join NAMI in shining a light on mental illness and replacing stigma with hope," said Tom Talbot, CMHC executive director. "Fortunately, we know that recovery is possible. Treatment works, and the sooner one can become engaged in treatment, the better."

Unfortunately, there can be long delays ? sometimes decades ? between the first appearance of symptoms and when people get help. Less than one-third of adults and less than one-half of children with a diagnosed illness receive treatment. Information about specific illnesses, diagnoses and treatment options is available at www.nami.org. Many people begin with their primary care doctor. Many start by confiding in a close family member or friend. "Don't be afraid to speak up," advised the CMHC news release.

Community Mental Health Center served more than 5,000 people during state fiscal year 2016, which ended June 30. CMHC provides comprehensive behavioral health services (mental health and addiction services) to individuals of all ages in Franklin, Ripley, Dearborn, Ohio and Switzerland counties.

Early identification and treatment is vital ? by getting individuals the treatment they need early, recovery is accelerated and the brain is protected from further harm related to the course of illness. The best treatments for serious mental illnesses today are highly effective ? between 70 and 90 percent of individuals have significant reduction of symptoms and improved quality of life with a combination of medication and psychosocial treatments and supports. The economic cost of untreated mental illnesses is nearly $200 billion each year in the United States.

For more information about CMHC services, persons may call 812-537-1302 for a nearby location or visit the website at www.cmhcinc.org.