National Alliance on Mental Illness
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| Take the Pledge |
"We believe that these issues are important to address all year round, but highlighting these issues during May provides a time for people to come together and display the passion and strength of those working to improve the lives of all Americans whose lives are affected by mental health conditions." National Alliance on Mental Illness
During the month of May the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI), as well as participating individuals, groups, and corporations, bring awareness to the mental health issues within the United States. Each year the NAMI combats social stigmas, provides support to those who are affected by mental illness, educates the public on the severity of current mental health issues, and advocates for equal care.
In the link above you too can make the stigmafree pledge to learn more about mental health, to see individuals as a person - not as an illness, and to take action on mental health issues. For other ways to become more involved, share your experience with mental illness, or become a leader in the mental health movement, check out NAMI's website for more information.
Share mental health awareness information, images and graphics with #mhm or #mentalhealthmonth and help spread awareness for the stigmafree pledge with #StigmaFree.
Learn more about Mental Health Month at https://www.nami.org/mentalhealthmonth
Mental Health America
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| Photo credit |
Mental Health America (MHA) has declared that the theme for this year's Mental Health Awareness Month is called "Life with a Mental Illness". MHA is promoting the use of #mentalillnessfeelslike on social media to raise awareness, calling on individuals living with a mental illness to share "what life feels like" to them. Each person's words, photos or videos that include this hashtag are being compiled and displayed on mentalhealthamerica.net/feelslike.
"Posting with the hashtag will allow people to speak up about their own experiences, to share their point of view with individuals who may be struggling to explain what they are going through—and help others figure out if they too are showing signs of a mental illness." Mental Health America
If you are someone who wishes to share your experience of living with mental illness, but are not wanting to be identified the link above contains a "Share Now Anonymously" button where you are welcome to contribute. MHA believes that there is power in sharing your story; in fact that doing so is the key to breaking through the misperceptions about mental illnesses and negative cultural stereotypes surrounding them. This hashtag is also meaning to be used as a resourceful connection for those who are currently struggling, aiming to show them that they are not alone in their feelings and their symptoms.
