BANGOR – Acadia Hospital, Community Health and Counseling Services, OHI, Bangor Mental Health Institute, the River Coalition and the National Alliance for the Mentally Ill-Maine have joined together to sponsor this year’s Mental Illness Awareness Week, Oct. 3-9 in the Bangor area.

Millions of Americans live with some form of mental illness, said organizers. In the past decade, medical science has made gains in diagnosing and treating all forms of mental illness, providing hope to many.

In spite of the scientific progress and increased understanding about the origins and treatment of mental illnesses, there continues to be a general lack of awareness in society that leads to continued stigma for individuals with mental illness and their families.

“We can work together to provide opportunities that further strengthen our community’s education, understanding and acceptance of mental illness,” officials said.

The schedule is:

. noon Oct. 3, kick-off of Mental Health Illness Week walk, OHI, Twin City Plaza, Brewer. Consumers, family, providers and members of the public are welcome to join the 3.5-mile walk from Brewer to Bangor and back. For information, call 989-4007.

. noon-3 p.m. Oct. 5, Dr. Thomas Rusk, “Mind, Body and Soul,” Community Health and Counseling Services, 42 Cedar St., Bangor. Lunch provided, register by Sept. 30, 947-0366, ext. 260.

. noon-1 p.m. Oct. 6, Clara Grover, “The Emerging Role of Service Dogs in Supporting People with Mental Illness,” Conference Room 7, OHI, 240 State St., Brewer. 989-4007.

. 11 a.m.-noon Oct. 7, Dr. Judy Burk, “Can Schizophrenia Be Prevented?” Acadia Hospital, Stillwater Avenue, Bangor.

. 9-10 a.m. Oct. 8, Dr. Anthony Miller, grand rounds, “Hysteria,” Bangor Mental Health Institute, Hogan Road, Bangor.

. 7 p.m. Oct. 9, open mic night, Old Brick Church, corner of First and Union streets, Bangor. All welcome.

Dr. Judy Burk was born in Ohio. She graduated from medical school at the University of Cincinnati in 1982. She came to Lubec in 1983 and practiced two years as a general practitioner.

Burk returned to training in Cincinnati and Portland, becoming a board-certified general psychiatrist. From 1988 to 2001, she worked in Bangor with adults with serious mental illness, first at BMHI, then at Acadia Hospital.

When the new adolescent correctional facility opened in Charleston, she made a career shift to caring for incarcerated adolescents, many of whom have or are developing serious mental illnesses.

For information on Mental Illness Awareness Week, check www.mentalillnessawareness-me.org