Mental Health (NAMI)

1 out of every 5 American adults are diagnosed with a mental health condition each year. Across the population 1 out of 20 adults are living with a serious mental health condition  such as schizophrenia, bipolar disorder or long-term recurring major depression.

As with other serious illnesses, mental illness is not your fault or that of the people around you, but widespread misunderstandings about mental illness remain. Many people don't seek treatment or remain unaware that their symptoms could be connected to a mental health condition. People may expect a person with serious mental illness to look visibly different from others, and they may tell someone who doesn't "look ill" to "get over it" through willpower. These misperceptions add to the challenges of living with a mental health condition.

Every year people overcome the challenges of mental illness to do the things they enjoy. Through developing and following a treatment plan, you can dramatically reduce many of your symptoms. People with mental health conditions can and do pursue higher education, succeed in their careers, make friends and have relationships. Mental illness can slow us down, but we don't need to let it stop us.

-NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Illness)

NAMI – the National Alliance on Mental Illness – is the nation’s largest grassroots mental health organization dedicated to building better lives for the millions of Americans affected by mental illness. 

*United Evangelical Church, UCC is a supporter of the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI). We encourage anyone who is struggling to seek the support of a qualified mental health provider who can help in a time of need. Please use the information below to contact NAMI if you or someone you know needs help. If this is a life threatening situation please call 911 immediately or go to your nearest emergency room.