This week is National Mental Health Awareness Week!

If you or a loved one have been diagnosed with a mental illness, this week is all about you! Or maybe you have gone through troubling times and wondered: what is wrong with me?! Why am I so moody? etc. etc.

But you haven't had the resources (money, support, etc.) to see a good doctor, participate in community programs or had the help of family and friends to get you through another day. This week is for you! Isn't is wonderful that there ARE resources (most likely in your community)-- warm, open, friendly, non-judgemental places where you are invited to come, talk to professionals and people who have been there who can help!?

What a blessing that there are answers to your questions, that there is hope! That there are people who want to see you well, happy and successful even when you can't (in a time of crisis) help yourself.

If you read this posting after this week, help is always available! Great things are happening in the field of mental health!! And we are all going to benefit ... can you tell I'm excited?? :)

Here's what this week is all about:

Oct. 7 -13, 2007 -- If you aren't aware or for tons of information and resources regarding mental illness for yourself or for a loved one, do a little research! Education and empowerment are at your fingertips!

I have much to learn myself, and www.nami.org has been a wonderful resource for me in the beginning of my journey. Below is their explanation of Mental Health Awareness Week and a little bit about NAMI, the grassroots organization that has done (and is doing!) so much in the mental health field. Check it out!

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"Established in 1990 by Congress, the first week of October is designated as "Mental Illness Awareness Week" (MIAW) in recognition of NAMI’s efforts to raise mental illness awareness. "Bipolar Disorder Awareness Day" (BDAD) is held each year on the Thursday of MIAW to encourage further understanding and promote early intervention and treatment for this mental illness.

MIAW and BDAD are NAMI’s premiere public awareness and public education campaigns that link the organization nationally to the organization’s over 1100 local affiliates across the country.

Over the past 16 years, MIAW has become a tradition in NAMI. It presents an opportunity for all three levels of NAMI –national, state and local – to work together in communities across the country in meeting the NAMI mission through a variety of outreach, educational, and advocacy efforts."
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**As with any internet research, be aware of the sites you spend time looking over. NAMI is a good place to start and can lead you in many other good directions both for education and empowerment.

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Thank you Lord for the people you send my way,
Sometimes they help me through another day.