When Greater Bangor’s first Mental Illness Awareness Walk was held in 1999, some of the participants were shocked by what they heard along their route. Support came from many onlookers, but the mental health consumers, their loved ones and providers also were targeted with insults – a terrible occurrence at the time but also an unfortunate form of validation of the mission behind the walk and other events that surround the annual Mental Health Awareness Week observance.

Mental Illness Awareness Week 2004 begins Oct. 3, with the sixth annual kickoff walk that begins

at noon at OHI in Twin City Plaza

in Brewer. Activities continue through Oct. 8.

The Greater Bangor MIAW observance represents a collaboration among a number of community-based organizations united in working to provide opportunities that further strengthen the community’s education, understanding and acceptance of mental illness. Community Health and Counseling Services, OHI, The Acadia Hospital, the River Coalition, Bangor Mental Health Institute, NAMI-Maine and Venture Group Crew #847 all believe stigma associated with mental illness is one of the biggest barriers hindering many

people with mental illness from living safely and productively within

our communities.

Gaining a better understanding of the issues that surround mental illness is crucial for many reasons, among them the fact that like other health issues, mental illness can touch anyone. It knows no age, gender or race limitations. It doesn’t discriminate by economic status. In fact, it doesn’t discriminate at all – only the stigma surrounding mental illness is discriminatory. Community education has played a major role in helping the public address such physical health concerns as diabetes, heart disease and lung disease, and

it can have the same impact in the field of mental health.

Through years of scientific re-search we now know that mental illnesses, like chronic illnesses such as diabetes, have biological, chemical and genetic components. This knowledge has led to breakthroughs in treatment options that allow individuals to manage their illness and lead productive lives. Yet people with mental illness often are easily dismissed as “having brought it on themselves,”

but that simply isn’t the case.

This lack of understanding of the biological and chemical nature of mental illnesses presents a major impediment, both to the person with the illness and their loved ones, and to those whose lack of knowledge leads to the perpetuation of the stigma

surrounding mental illness.

That’s why the Mental Illness Awareness Coalition has scheduled a variety of presentations on such topics as “Mind, Body and Soul,” “Can Schizophrenia be Prevented?” and “The Emerging Role of Service Dogs in Supporting People with Mental

Illness” throughout Mental Illness Awareness Week, to create opportunities for everyone to learn.

Take that opportunity.

The issues that prompt the need for Mental Illness Awareness Week clearly transcend one week of focus each year, so the Mental Illness Awareness Coalition endeavors to spread that message on an ongoing basis. A newsletter has been developed with inspirational stories and helpful tips, and a permanent Web site – www.mentalillnessawareness-me.org – is now available featuring mental illness awareness-related activities and information including a schedule of this year’s Mental Illness Awareness Week events. The coalition plans more educational undertakings as funding support becomes available, but there’s also much more you can do to help yourself understand the issues and, ultimately, to help

yourself to help others.

Get educated about mental illness, both during Mental Illness Awareness

Week and throughout the year.

Stay in tune with friends and loved ones; don’t just write off someone’s

down times, make sure they’re OK.

Don’t allow yourself to participate in any activity that demeans people

with mental illness.

And feel free to take a walk, either the Mental Illness Awareness Walk,

or merely a walk to reduce the stress in your own life. For more information on Mental Illness Awareness Walk, call 989-4807.

You’ll feel better, just as someone with mental illness feels better free

of the consequences of stigma.

Diane Nelson, CHCS, is chair of

Mental Illness Awareness Week

Committee. Margaret Longsworth, OHI, is a committee member.