Mental Illness Awareness Week
October 1-7, 2006

National Mental Illness Awareness week is an annual national observance intended to educate and engage America's knowledge on mental health. According to National Institute of Mental Health, an estimated 26.2% of Americans ages 18 and older - about one in four adults - suffer from a diagnosable mental disorder in a given year. Fortunately, if an early diagnosis is found, mental illness is treatable.

Mental illness includes such disorders as depression, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, panic disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder, attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, autism, and Alzheimer's decease. These are all mental, behavioral and emotional disorders.

It's important to watch for warning signs of mental illness-and to seek medical advice as soon as possible if any become apparent. Symptoms include:

• Marked personality change
• Inability to cope with problems and daily activities
• Strange ideas or delusions
• Excessive anxiety
• Prolonged feelings of sadness
• Marked changes in eating or sleeping patterns
• Thinking or talking about suicide
• Extreme highs and lows
• Abuse of alcohol or drugs
• Excessive anger, hostility
• Violent behavior
• Irrational fears

Source: MIAW

Fore more information and resources:

State and Local Resources

• Akron General Medical Center: Your Good Health Calendar
• The Cleveland Clinic: Choosing a Doctor and Therapist
• NAMI: Ohio
• NetWellness: Mental Illness Inheritance Risks
• North East Ohio Health Services: Defining Mental Illness
• Ohio Department of Mental Health: Where to Get Help?
• Summit County Board of Alcohol, Drug Addiction, and Mental Health Services: Mental Health Agencies
• University Hospitals Health Systems: Terms and Definitions

National Resources

• NAMI: The Nation's Voice on Mental Illness
• National Mental Health Association
• National Institute of Mental Health

Domestic Violence Awareness

Domestic violence, also known as partner abuse, spouse abuse, or battering, is a worldwide problem that occurs when a family member, spouse, partner or ex-partner attempts to physically or emotionally harm the other person. Domestic violence happens among all ages, cultures, ethnicities, races, and even religions. Men, women and children can be victims of domestic violence.

Domestic Abuse is often one of the following:

• Child Abuse
• Abuse of a Spouse or domestic intimate partner
• Elder Abuse

Source: Tina de Benedictis, Ph.D., Jaelline Jaffe, Ph.D. and Jeanne Segal, Ph.D.

Victims of domestic violence often do not escape or seek help because they are afraid of the consequences from their abuser or stalker. According to Jill Curtis, "Violence in the home is a crime we are all becoming more aware of each year. In the U.S. the estimate of the number ranges from 960,000 incidents of violence against a current or former partner to four million each year. But domestic violence is also a world-wide problem."

The following links offer a better understanding and ways to help victims of domestic abuse. Help is available.

Local and State Resources

• Domestic Violence Center
• Ohio Domestic Violence Network
• Ohio Shelters and Hotlines
• The Cleveland Clinic: Health Information Center
• University Hospitals: Counseling and Support
• NetWellness: Do You Live in Fear of Your Partner?
• Local Domestic Violence 24-Hour Hotline: 216.391.HELP (4357)

National Resources

• National Coalition Against Domestic Violence
• American Bar Association: Internet and Computer Safety for Survivors of Domestic Violence
• National Domestic Violence 24 Hour Hotline: 1.800.799.7233; 1.800.787.3224 (TTY)

If you need help immediately, dial 911.