This month is Mental Illness Awareness Week, and we’re sharing a few facts, tips and resources to help you learn more about mental illness and help us to Cure the Stigma surrounding it.

Did you know?
Stigma may not affect you, but it prevents the 1 in 5 American with mental health conditions from seeking help.

Mental Illness Awareness Week is an initiative of the National Association on Mental Illness “to shine a light on mental illness and fight stigma, provide support, educate the public and advocate for equal care.”

One in five adults experiences a mental health problem in any given year
One-half of chronic mental illness begins by the age of 14 and three-quarters by age 24
Suicide is the 10th leading cause of death in the United States and the 2nd leading cause among young adults, and 90% of people who die by suicide have an underlying mental illness
Long delays−sometimes decades−often occur between the time symptoms first appear and when individuals get help
Early identification and treatment can make a difference in successful management of mental illness and recovery
Every citizen and community can make a difference in helping end the silence and stigma that for too long has surrounded mental illness and discouraged people from getting help
Public education and civic activities can encourage mental health and help improve the lives of individuals and families affected by mental illness.

Wondering if you have a stigma about mental health? Take the interactive quiz at curestigma.org.

Having a difficult time explaining mental illness to friends, coworkers or relatives? Check out this article for tips on dealing with individuals who don’t understand mental illness. If you would like to learn more about mental health and mental illness or a local therapist you can talk to, visit one or more of the following resources.

Check out Prince Harry’s speech from earlier this year about his own personal fight with mental health.