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Everybody Knows Somebody©...

At NAMI Montgomery County we know how prevalent mental illness is; our members, families, and friends are affected by mental illness every day. Unfortunately, many people are still not aware of how many people are living, coping, and thriving with biological brain disorders like bipolar disorder, depression, schizophrenia, and ADHD.

• Data from the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) states that an estimated 26.2 percent of Americans ages 18 and older — about one in four adults — suffer from a diagnosable mental disorder in a given year.
• In the June 2005 Archives of General Psychiatry, Ronald Kessler, PhD, wrote that about half of all Americans will meet the criteria for some type of mental disorder sometime in their lifetime. Although they won’t all be classified as serious and persistent mental illnesses, this means that Everybody Knows Somebody©.

Unfortunately, many people with serious mental illnesses do not seek or receive treatment for a number of reasons. According to the 2003 President's New Freedom Commission on Mental Health, in 2002, fewer than half of the adults with serious mental illnesses received treatment. The common reasons people do not seek treatment include fear, not knowing where to go for services, concern about confidentiality, the cost of doctors and medications, and the opinions of neighbors and community. This fear of what people may think — the stigma that surrounds mental illness — is a serious barrier to treatment and recovery.

NAMI MC is leading a public education campaign to counter stigma and bring down the barriers that keep people from seeking treatment. This campaign, Everybody Knows Somebody©, highlights the fact that the majority of the public is unaware of that mental illness is a biological brain disorder and how many mentally ill people they know and encounter every day. The goal of this initiative is to change people's attitudes and behaviors towards mental illness and to let those living with mental illness know that there are resources available to improve health and lead a productive life.

Mental Illness could be affecting your neighbor, your friend, or your family member. Ask yourself who do you know?, and how can you help?