HomeBlogPatientI Am Stigma Free: Mental Illness Campaign Takes on Myths and Misconceptions I Am Stigma Free: Mental Illness Campaign Takes on Myths and Misconceptions November 9, 2015Patient There are a lot of myths and misconceptions about mental illness. And with an estimated 1 in 5 Americans suffering from a mental illness each year, those myths and misconceptions are important to dispel. To that end, the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) has worked tirelessly to educate the public about mental illness, with the hope of getting those suffering from these disorders in silence the help they need. Twenty-five years ago, in recognition of their efforts, the U.S. Congress established the first full week of October as Mental Illness Awareness Week, a time for mental health advocates and organizations to sponsor outreach programs and events — many that run all month long — to help people understand what mental illnesses like depression, bipolar disorder, and schizophrenia are — and what they are decidedly not. This year’s Mental Illness Awareness Week took place October 4-10 with events across the country celebrating the theme #IAmStigmaFree. But don’t worry if you missed out on the week’s activities; you can still join the campaign and help spread its important message. The primary focus of the #IAmStigmaFree campaign is to educate the public to see people as more than their diagnoses and to help take the mark of stigma away from what are very common disorders. Those interested in getting involved can still take the Stigma Free Pledge and tell their own mental health stories freely and without shame in hopes of raising awareness and inspiring others to do the same. Laurie Martinelli, executive director of NAMI Massachusetts, says the campaign’s goal is an important one. “It gives us an opportunity to educate the public and dispel the many stereotypes we see regarding mental health issues on television and in the news,” she says. “This kind of education and outreach is what NAMI does 365 days a year. But Mental Illness Awareness Week allows us to get other people more involved and really help us to reach out to people we might not normally be able to.” Mental Illness Awareness Week, and its corresponding campaign and events, works hard to dispel those stereotypes and remove the shame of mental illness for the millions of Americans living with a mental health disorder. But they also provide important support and assessment tools to those who fear they may be suffering from a mental health condition and may be afraid to come forward. This year’s events included live music concerts, educational sessions and panel discussions, advertising campaigns, movie nights and benefit races. But, truly, the types of events are only limited by the organizers’ imaginations. As long as the purpose is to reduce stigma and to advocate for treatment and support of mental illness, your local NAMI chapter is open to new ideas. Assurex Health has been an active participant in the campaign, filling their Facebook page and Twitter feed with posts from team members who have taken the pledge. Go to www.facebook.com/assurexhealth to see their amazing stories! To get involved in the #IAmStigmaFree campaign, or to learn more about yearround programs or events in your area, visit the national NAMI website. You can locate your local NAMI chapter there to find out ways you can take action —and help America be stigma free. Our articles are for informational purposes only and are reviewed by our Medical Information team, which includes PharmDs, MDs, and PhDs. Do not make any changes to your current medications or dosing without consulting your healthcare provider. The GeneSight test must be ordered by and used only in consultation with a healthcare provider who can prescribe medications. As with all genetic tests, the GeneSight test results have limitations and do not constitute medical advice. The test results are designed to be just one part of a larger, complete patient assessment, which would include proper diagnosis and consideration of your medical history, other medications you may be taking, your family history, and other factors. If you are a healthcare provider and interested in learning more about the GeneSight test, please contact us at 855.891.9415. If you are a patient, please talk with your doctor to see if the GeneSight test may be helpful. Patient Which Mental Health Provider Should I Consider? A Symptom-Based Guide The support of a good healthcare provider can make all the difference when you’re struggling with your mental health. But how do you connect to one in a sea of ... Read more Patient One explanation for why we experience Side Effects? Understanding Your Genetic Response to Antidepressants Antidepressants often play an essential role in helping patients with their mental health conditions. But as many patients can attest, it’s frustrating when... Read more Patient Barriers at Every Turn: How Systemic and Social Factors Block Men from Mental Health Care Taking the important step of seeking care for mental health isn’t always an easy decision. Uncertainty about the need for care, social stigmas associated wi... Read more Healthcare Provider Overcoming Side Effect Concerns: Leveraging Pharmacogenomic Insights to Inform Depression and Anxiety Medication Selection Whitnee Brown, a lifelong resident now practicing in Birmingham, Alabama has nearly an entire alphabet following her name, abbreviations for degrees and certifi... Read more Patient Concerns about Mental Health Medication Side Effects Remain a Barrier to Getting Help for Those Diagnosed with Depression and Anxiety Lisa Roberts has raised a family, reached an impressively high level in her career, and was an anchor for her mother and other family members. When, within ... Read more Patient Common Antidepressant Side Effects Taking an antidepressant can be an effective way to help treat a mental health condition like depression or anxiety. However, these medications can also cre... Read more Patient MTHFR Mutations: Clinical Implications and Management Strategies MTHFR mutations—changes in the methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) gene—have gained increased attention in the medical community due to their potent... Read more Patient Can an App Help Me Manage My Anxiety? Health and wellness smartphone apps have become so common that if you can name a health goal, desire or condition, you can probably find an app for it. N... Read more Patient Black Trailblazers of Psychiatry and Mental Health: A Legacy of Healing and Advocacy As we celebrate Black History Month, we want to recognize a few individuals who have made extraordinary contributions to the field of psychiatry and mental heal... Read more Patient Mindful Moments: Tips for Anxiety If a well-meaning friend or family member has ever told you to “just breathe” when you’re feeling worked up or stressed out, you’d be forgiven if you felt l... Read more Learn more Learn more about GeneSight How to talk to your provider View our clinical studies
Patient Which Mental Health Provider Should I Consider? A Symptom-Based Guide The support of a good healthcare provider can make all the difference when you’re struggling with your mental health. But how do you connect to one in a sea of ... Read more
Patient One explanation for why we experience Side Effects? Understanding Your Genetic Response to Antidepressants Antidepressants often play an essential role in helping patients with their mental health conditions. But as many patients can attest, it’s frustrating when... Read more
Patient Barriers at Every Turn: How Systemic and Social Factors Block Men from Mental Health Care Taking the important step of seeking care for mental health isn’t always an easy decision. Uncertainty about the need for care, social stigmas associated wi... Read more
Healthcare Provider Overcoming Side Effect Concerns: Leveraging Pharmacogenomic Insights to Inform Depression and Anxiety Medication Selection Whitnee Brown, a lifelong resident now practicing in Birmingham, Alabama has nearly an entire alphabet following her name, abbreviations for degrees and certifi... Read more
Patient Concerns about Mental Health Medication Side Effects Remain a Barrier to Getting Help for Those Diagnosed with Depression and Anxiety Lisa Roberts has raised a family, reached an impressively high level in her career, and was an anchor for her mother and other family members. When, within ... Read more
Patient Common Antidepressant Side Effects Taking an antidepressant can be an effective way to help treat a mental health condition like depression or anxiety. However, these medications can also cre... Read more
Patient MTHFR Mutations: Clinical Implications and Management Strategies MTHFR mutations—changes in the methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) gene—have gained increased attention in the medical community due to their potent... Read more
Patient Can an App Help Me Manage My Anxiety? Health and wellness smartphone apps have become so common that if you can name a health goal, desire or condition, you can probably find an app for it. N... Read more
Patient Black Trailblazers of Psychiatry and Mental Health: A Legacy of Healing and Advocacy As we celebrate Black History Month, we want to recognize a few individuals who have made extraordinary contributions to the field of psychiatry and mental heal... Read more
Patient Mindful Moments: Tips for Anxiety If a well-meaning friend or family member has ever told you to “just breathe” when you’re feeling worked up or stressed out, you’d be forgiven if you felt l... Read more