NAMI Offers Hope to the Mentally Ill
If you're dealing with Mental Illness, Phyllis Arends with NAMI Sioux Falls says you're not alone! One in four adults---approximately 61.5 million Americans---experiences mental illness in a given year. Unfortunately, many don't seek help because of a stigma surrounding mental illness.
"Some people think this way: 'If I tell my family, friends and my employer that my brain isn't working the way it used to---my life will get turned upside down.' Unfortunately these individuals suffer too often in silence."
Phyllis encourages those suffering from mental illness to get help.
"It's a medical illness, it's treatable. The earlier you get treatment, the better your outcome. Don't hesitate to call your family doctor and let him know what's going on."
Arends says a free video and discussion titled "Wipe Out Stigma" will take place at the Siouxland Libraries this week---Tuesday at the Ronning Branch and Wednesday at the Caille Branch beginning at 6:30 p.m.
This week is National Mental Illness Awareness Week.