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Say it out loud
Statewide campaign targets awareness
By Janice Youngwith
Wednesday, May 7, 2008
Hoping to promote good
mental health in every Illinois adult
and child, a new "Say It Out Loud"
statewide campaign takes aim at
promoting good mental health as a
part of overall health and well-being.
"With nearly 20 percent of the
population living with a mental
health problem, it's vital to recognize
that mental health is a valuable
component of total well-being
and encourage residents to not be
ashamed when needing help," says
Tanya R. Anderson, M.D., deputy
clinical director of Child and Adolescent
Services, Illinois Department
of Human Services, Division
of Mental Health.
Dr. Tanya Anderson
Dr. Anderson, who is responsible
for the oversight and development
of all children's mental health
services and programs in Illinois
and who serves as a member of
the "Say It Out Loud" steering
committee, says there is a definite
need to encourage a more positive
mental health image, acceptance of
mental health issues and acknowledgement
that treatment works.
"We believe the multi-faceted
three-year awareness campaign,
being launched this month by the
Illinois Department of Human
Services, Mental Health Division
and the Illinois Children's Mental
Health Partnership, will go a long
way toward raising awareness for
mental health and well-being as it
connects to all aspects of our physical,
emotional and spiritual health,"
she notes.
Data from the U.S. Census and
the U.S. Center for Mental Health
Services suggest that Dr. Anderson's
comments are on target. At any
given time, they say, more than
700,000 adults are coping with a
diagnosable mental illness. In Illinois,
nearly one-quarter of the state's
adolescents report symptoms of
depression so severe it disrupts their
routine and daily activities for weeks
at a time. In Chicago, those figures
rise to one-third of city teens.
"While 80 to 90 percent of
mental illnesses are treatable, the
sad fact is that only one out of five
people living with mental illness
seeks and receives treatment," Dr.
Anderson notes.
Reluctance to talk about
mental health, she says, is so strong
that it prevents many from seeking
information and support as well as
asking for help when needed.
Campaign goals, Dr. Anderson
says, include promoting good mental
health and reducing barriers that
prevent people from seeking help
and support, encouraging people
to seek information and help when
they need it and building a strong
base of support for those with
mental health challenges.
"It's easy to get involved,"
Dr. Anderson explains. "Simply
reach out and talk with a friend or
colleague who is stressed, letting
them know you care, ask for help
yourself, or talk to experts such as
teachers, social workers and your
own physician about family issues
and mental health concerns."
Effective treatments, she says,
are available and enable people with
mental health challenges to lead
full, balanced and happy lives.
"Yet the stigma associated with
the subject of mental health and
with mental illness can prevent
those who need help from reaching
out," she explains. "By the time
the campaign ends in June, 2010,
we hope to have reached millions,
encouraging them to be aware of
and prioritize mental health, to
raise the subject and to seek help
and information when needed."
Dr. Anderson points to the
success of a similar "What A Difference
A Friend Makes" federal
campaign targeting 18-30 year old
young adults and encouraging them
to reach out to a friend for help.
"Illinois is certainly a leader
when it comes to recognizing the
need to build awareness, acceptance
and support for mental health
issues across the board," she says.
"We hope to build on the success
of the federal campaign efforts and
expand efforts to reach people of
all ages, targeting not only young
adults, but parents and caregivers
needing new information on child
development or who suspect their
child might be facing a mental
health challenge, those who know
someone with a mental health challenge,
and individuals already living
with a mental illness."
A mental illness is a disease
that causes mild to severe
disturbances in thought and
behavior that results in the inability
to cope with life's ordinary
demands and routines, says Carol
Wozniewski,
Mental Health
America of Illinois
(MHAI)
executive
director.
"There are
more than 200
classified forms
of mental illnesses, all of which can
be triggered by a variety of causes:
genetics, biochemical imbalance,
a particular situation or series of
events, an illness, or any combination
of those factors," explains
Wozniewski, who says her agency's
message is one of help and hope.
"Mental health problems are real,
common and as treatable as many
other physical illnesses, with high
recovery rates if treated appropriately
and in a timely manner."
For information on promoting
good mental health, visit
www.mentalhealthillinois.org
or call the Illinois Collaborative
for Access and Choice toll-free
consumer and family care line at
(866) 359-7953.
Mental Health
America of Illinois may be reached
at (312) 368-9070, Ext. 10 or
visit www.mhai.org.
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