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October 6, 2007

MENTAL ILLNESS AWARENESS WEEK

Thousands of mental health professional will join together in a nationwide effort to stimulate the public to speak openly about the realities of mental illness during Mental Illness Awareness Week, October 6 through 13. "The designation of Mental Illness Awareness Week is intended to create a better public understanding of the issues of mental illness and emotional disorders and what treatments are available," explains Daniel Kill, President/CEO of Family Service
and Mental Health Center of Oak Park and River Forest.

"Mental illness is one of the most serious of our nation’s public health problems affecting one in five adults and costing society millions of dollars a year in health bills and lost productivity. Most forms of mental illness are genetic or caused by genetic disturbances in the brain," notes Sid Wax, clinical director at Family Service. Wax continues, "Schizophrenia, anxiety, depression and other forms of mental illness can be treated but only if people are willing to seek help."

"Mental illness is still stigmatized and also constitutes the most misunderstood and feared group of illnesses," Kill continues. "Discrimination and embarrassment have been barriers to treatment. As a result many people who could benefit from treatment - don't get it." Its time we broke those bonds of silence that prevent residents from seeking treatment," said Kill. "We want to encourage people to ask questions, seek information and dispel the fear by talking openly about mental illnesses."

Brochures and information on mental illness and other services offered by Family Service are available at the agency's facility, the Ray A. Kroc Center located at 120 South Marion Street. For more information on agency services call 383-7500 X108. Family Service is a United Way agency providing a continuum of counseling, psychiatric and prevention/education services to residents of Oak Park and River Forest.