Mental Illness Awareness Week (MIAW) takes place October 2-8 and is an opportunity to learn more about serious mental illnesses such as major depression, bipolar disorder and schizophrenia.

Mental illnesses are medical illnesses. One in four adults experiences a mental health problem in any given year. One in 17 lives with serious, chronic illness. 

“Many people in our community are directly affected by mental illness,” said Dr. Alex Amante, psychiatrist at St. Francis Mental Health Services, Maryville. “The good news is that treatment does work and recovery is possible.”

On average, people living with serious mental illness live 25 years less than the rest of the population. One reason is that less than one-third of adults and less than one-half of children with a diagnosed illness receive treatment.

“The U.S. Surgeon General has reported that stigma is a major barrier to people seeking help when they need it,” Amante said. “That’s why MIAW is so important. We want people to understand mental illness and join a dialogue in our community. The more people know, the better they can help themselves or help their loved ones get the help and support they need.”

During the month of October, informational displays on mental illness and mental health resources are located throughout Maryville, to include the Maryville Community Center, Maryville Public Library and the Senior Center as well as the lobby at St. Francis Hospital.

When mental health care isn’t utilized in a community, the results often are lost jobs and careers, broken families, more homelessness, and much more expensive costs for hospital emergency rooms, nursing homes, schools, police and even courts, jails and prisons.

For more information on mental illness, depression screening or a confidential consultation, contact St. Francis Mental Health Services at (660) 562-7922.