On April 3, Theresa Hanson and Pat and Frank Cleary responded to Kathleen Parker's March 9 article on mental illness. Both cited the importance of knowledge in dispelling stigma and misunderstanding about mental illnesses (brain disorders).
Because of the stigma attached to mental illnesses, "two-thirds of all people with diagnosable mental disorders do not seek treatment" (Surgeon General David Satcher's 1999 Report on Mental Illness).
What do you know about mental illnesses? With one in five Americans experiencing a mental disorder each year (Satcher Report), it is prudent to learn about mental illnesses.
An initial base of knowledge is as close as your neighborhood library. Ask for The National Alliance for the Mentally Ill (NAMI) holder. It contains brochures on the major mental illnesses, information about NAMI free educational programs, book lists, and information on other helpful resources.
These holders also are available at the Moses Cone Behavioral Centers, Moses Cone Medical Library, the Women's Hospital Library, Guilford County Mental Health Centers, Health Service, Urban Ministry, Maple Street Police Department, Jamestown GTCC Psychology Department, the Psychiatric Center at High Point Regional Hospital, and Caring Service in High Point.
Dorothy M. Oliver
Greensboro
Comments (1)
One in five Americans experience a mental disorder every year? That's absurd! I'd say it's closer to six in five.
But if we're talking about serious mental illness, the number is much lower. The Psychological Industrial complex has done an excellent job of convincing Americans that normal experience--sadness, nervousness, anger, etc.--is medically significant. It's like any other business: the more advertising, the more consumers.
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April 11, 2006 11:24 AM