Next week October 3-9, 2021 is Mental Illness Awareness Week (MIAW) with the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI).

In today’s blog we wanted to highlight the importance of this event, what it is and some ways you and your community can get involved!

Let us know if you’re participating in Mental Illness Awareness Week and what you’re doing for it!

Why Mental Illness Awareness Week (MIAW)?

In 2019, NAMI, reported that 1 in 5 adult Americans and 16.5% of youth ages 6-17 experienced a mental illness. And with the pandemic, the numbers for 2020 are likely to be even higher. 

That said… you are not alone. Mental Illness does not know boundaries… Mental illness affects every type of person.

That is why the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) created the Mental Illness Awareness Week on October 3-9. 

So, what is Mental Illness Awareness Week?

Since mental illness not only affects the person dealing with it, but also affects those around them from family, friends and coworkers, NAMI wanted to have a week dedicated to raise awareness of mental illness, fight descrimintation and provide support. 

The 2021 NAMI Mental Illness Awareness Week is centered around their new campaign “Together for Mental Health” This campaign focuses on the importance of advocating for better care for people with serious mental illness. Each day throughout the week, the idea is to raise the voices of people who have lived with a serious mental illness and discuss the need for improved crisis response and mental health care. 

When is Mental Illness Awareness Week?

Mental Illness Awareness Week runs from October 3–9 and coincides with additional related events:

• Tuesday Oct. 5: National Day of Prayer for Mental Illness Recovery and Understanding
• Thursday Oct. 7: National Depression Screening Day
• Saturday Oct. 9: NAMIWalks United Day of Hope
• Sunday Oct. 10: World Mental Health Day

How to Engage with Mental Illness Awareness Week Online?

There are several ways to engage for Mental Illness Awareness Week. NAMI lays out the options below. 

Videos

NAMI is featuring videos from real people sharing their lived experience with some of the symptoms and conditions being focused on for Mental Illness Awareness Week. 

Here is a sample of one of the videos here:

NAMI Blog
Each day during MIAW, we’ll be featuring special blog topics. Visit the NAMI Blog at nami.org/Blogs/NAMI-Blog and look for posts on our social media.

Personal Stories
Each day during MIAW, we’ll be featuring special personal stories at nami.org/personal-stories.

Social Media
Social media graphics and logo files you can share on accounts as posts, cover images, website hero images or to add to existing messaging can be downloaded on their website here. 

https://www.nami.org/get-involved/awareness-events/mental-illness-awareness-week

Here are some sample social media posts you can use throughout MIAW. 

• 1 in 20 U.S. adults experience SMI each year, but less than two-thirds get treatment. We must improve access to quality care. #Together4MH
• Do you have a mental health crisis story? Share with us today to help reimagine our crisis response system. #Together4MH
• Mental health is a huge part of overall health and should be a priority for everyone, whether you have a mental health condition or not. #Together4MH #MIAW
• Now, more than ever, we need to provide mental health support and resources. NAMI is here for you! #Together4MH

Is your organization planning on hosting an event or participating in Mental Illness Awareness Week? 

If you’re interested in more, check out NAMI’s website. https://www.nami.org/get-involved/awareness-events/mental-illness-awareness-week