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St. Cloud State University
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Mental illness month informs
By Amanda Degen
Published:
Thursday, May 1, 2003
Approximately 25 million Americans are affected by mental illness yearly, and yet there is still a lot of stigma and discrimination attached to these disabilities.
The National Alliance for the Mentally Ill (NAMI) emphasizes education and awareness of mental illness and those afflicted with it, especially on campus.
May is Mental Illness Awareness Month, and NAMI is asking those who know little about mental illness to participate in their discussions and meetings formed to educate local citizens who may know someone afflicted with mental illness, or may be afflicted themselves.
"Mental illness is very prevalent in society, and we are here to provide education and support for people with this illness and their families," said Carol Otremba, who is on the board of NAMI.
"We are here for people who have questions or need a support group so that they may have a better understanding of (mental illness), attach less stigma to it and achieve more advancement in this area."
One in every four families is affected in their lifetime by a severe mental illness, and illness is high in college students who are influenced by high amounts of stress, which can trigger the appearance of a disorder.
Although the disorders are linked to hereditary factors, stressors such as witnessing a crime or being involved in a traumatic accident can trigger its emergence.
"Everybody has the potential to become mentally ill," Otremba said. "It strikes often between the ages of 16 and 25 because of stress levels. And after 9/11, the number of mental illness cases drastically increased, showing just how prevalent it is."
It is so prevalent that President Bush created the Commission on Mental Health to help find solutions for those afflicted.
Otremba and her family flew to Washington D.C. in March to present before the committee, to discuss what changes should be made towards treatment and education of mental illness.
Focus was heavy on discrimination, as 80 to 90 percent of people with serious brain disorders are unemployed, and in the prison system, almost one-third of all U.S. jails incarcerate people with serious mental illnesses who are waiting for evaluation, as opposed to being charged with a crime.
"Those with mental illness are stigmatized more than any other group," Otremba said.
NAMI offers support in the St. Cloud area in a variety of ways, such as offering support groups and educational speakers.
Many of the classes are taught by Otremba and her husband, and all of the programs offered through NAMI are free. "Bridges" is a program of education and support run by and for people with mental illnesses.
The course meets for two hours once a week over a 14-week period. Afterwards, ongoing support groups are offered, designed for open discussion and understanding.
Also offered is "Family to Family," a 12-week course designed for family members and friends of those afflicted by mental illness.
Focus is on education, recognizing the symptoms of those who may be afflicted, as well as how to deal with crises and providing support. This course is offered twice a year, once in the spring and once in the fall.
NAMI also offers speakers that come into the classroom and talk to students about mental health, as mental health education is not heavily taught in school.
Otremba hopes that educating early in children's lives will help tackle some of the problems of stigma that many people face in schools.
"There is a lot of hope in the future generations," Otremba said. "They are the ones who will make a difference in the future."
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