Mental Illness Awareness Week
7 Days, 7 Ways: Increasing Awareness and Promoting Action
This year, Mental Illness Awareness Week takes place from October 4-10, 2020. National Depression Screening Day is
October 8 and World Mental Health Day is October 10.
7 Mental Health Conditions To Learn About
Many people do not seek treatment in the early stages of mental illnesses because they don't recognize the symptoms.
During Mental Illness Awareness Week, MHA will focus on sharing information about 7 major mental health conditions:
- Anxiety
- Bipolar Disorder
- Psychosis
- Eating Disorders
- Depression
- PTSD
- Addiction/Substance Use Disorder
Each condition coincides with a free screening tool MHA offers at MHAscreening.org. Taking a mental health screening is one of the quickest and easiest ways to determine whether you are experiencing symptoms of a mental health condition. Screening helps catch problems early - B4Stage4.
A screening only takes a few minutes, and after you are finished you will be given information about the next steps you should take based on the results. A screening is not a diagnosis, but it can be a helpful tool for starting a conversation with your doctor or a loved one about your mental health. Screening for mental health conditions should be just as normal as screening for cancer, diabetes, heart disease, or any other chronic health condition.
7 Actions To Take During Mental Illness Awareness Week
Not only are we sharing information about mental health conditions each day of the week, but we will also share 7 ways to get involved with mental health awareness and advocacy this week, including:
- Challenge your beliefs. Rethink the way you understand mental health and mental illness and explore how "-isms" (such as racism, sexism, ageism, heterosexism, etc.) relate to mental health. Learn more about the intersections of these issues and their impact on mental health: [mhanational.org/bipoc]
- Act on advocacy. Representatives Chu and Smith introduced the PEERS Act of 2020 on September 11, 2020, an important step towards better integrating peer specialists as a key part of mental health care. Ask your Representative to co-sponsor this important bipartisan bill: Take action
- Support others. Many people will go through a challenging time that affects their mental health. There are simple things that every person can say or do to help the people in their life who are struggling to get through the tough times. Here are 7 tips for supporting others: [https://mhanational.org/supporting-others].
- Reset and engage in self-care. Finding ways to decompress and relax are critical to your mental health. Whether it's a nap, reading, or calling a friend, take a break from the usual grind. Need help with figuring out what to do? Just do one of these 31 things to boost your mental health: [https://www.mhanational.org/31-tips-boost-your-mental-health].
- Get screened. Screening for mental health conditions should be just as normal as screening for cancer, diabetes, heart disease, or any other chronic health condition. Taking a mental health screening at MHAScreening.org is one of the quickest and easiest ways to determine whether you are experiencing symptoms of a mental health condition.
- Get mental health into the debates. Tweet at the debate hosts and moderators to bring mental health to the national spotlight for the presidential and vice presidential debates. Click here to send prepared tweets to the debate hosts and moderators now through October 22.
- Give. Whether it’s monetary support, sending someone some love, or volunteering your time, give back to your community. Donate to support Mental Health America’s programs, such as screening, public education, and advocacy, here: [mhanational.org/donate].
Digital Events
- Wednesday, Oct. 7: IG Live with the SolHaus
- Friday, Oct. 9: IG Live with One Love Foundation
- Saturday, Oct. 10: MENTAL NOTES Virtual Concert organized by Hot Topic and hosted by Mikey Way
Social Media Graphics
Click here to download graphics to share for Mental Illness Awareness Week
Suggested Sharing Schedule
Sunday, October 4: Anxiety
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It’s Mental Illness Awareness Week! This week, Mental Health America will focus on 7 mental health conditions and sharing action items you can complete right at home to advance mental health advocacy. Learn more at mhanational.org/miaw. #MentalIllnessAwarenessWeek #7Days7Ways |
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Anxiety disorders are among the most common mental illnesses in America. While some #anxiety is normal, anxiety disorders cause people to feel so distressed, it affects their day-to-day lives. Learn more at mhanational.org/anxiety. #MentalIllnessAwarenessWeek #7days7ways |
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If you feel that worry and fear are affecting your ability to function day-to-day, take the #anxiety screen at mhascreening.org. This screen is also available in Spanish: [https://bit.ly/3j3N2yN] #MentalIllnessAwarenessWeek #7days7ways |
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This past year has caused a significant amount of #anxiety in people due to the ongoing #COVID19 pandemic. Learn more about coping with #coronavirus related anxiety: [https://mhanational.org/covid19/anxiety] #MentalIllnessAwarenessWeek #7days7ways |
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For #MentalIllnessAwarenessWeek, not only are we sharing information about mental health conditions, but we’re also providing actionable steps to take each day this week! Today’s action is: challenge your beliefs. Learn more at mhanational.org/miaw. #7days7ways |
Monday, October 5: Bipolar Disorder
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Having #bipolar disorder isn’t the same as being "moody." Bipolar disorder includes periods of extremely high energy and mood called mania and periods of extremely low energy and mood called depression. Learn more at mhanational.org/bipolar. #MentalIlnessAwarenessWeek #7days7ways |
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At MHAscreening.org, there is a screen for #bipolar available. This can be a good way for people who have never been diagnosed or don't know much about mental health to check in on themselves. #MentalIllnessAwarenessWeek #7days7ways |
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It’s not uncommon to experience a roller coaster of emotions in time of distress - like during a global pandemic, for example. Learn more about health emotion regulation during uncertain times: [https://mhanational.org/events/strategies-healthy-emotion-regulation-during-uncertain-times] #MentalIllnessAwarenessWeek #7days7ways |
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For #MentalIllnessAwarenessWeek, not only are we sharing information about mental health conditions, but we’re also providing actionable steps to take each day this week! Today’s action is: act on advocacy. Learn more at mhanational.org/miaw. #7days7ways |
Tuesday, October 6: Psychosis
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Psychosis is a general term to describe a set of symptoms where a person loses contact with reality. It's most often associated with schizophrenia, it may also occur in bipolar or depression. Learn more at mhanational.org/psychosis. #MentalIllnessAwarenessWeek #7days7ways |
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Hearing voices and seeing things that aren’t there are more common than we think, but can be scary and confusing. Taking a screen at mhascreening.org can help determine if you're struggling with a mental health condition. #MentalIllnessAwarenessWeek #7days7ways |
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If you already have a #mentalhealth concern or diagnosis, the impact that the #COVID19 pandemic can be particularly difficult to deal with. Learn more about coping with mental health concern at home: [https://mhanational.org/covid19/existing-concerns] #MentalIllnessAwarenessWeek #7days7ways |
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For #MentalIllnessAwarenessWeek, not only are we sharing information about mental health conditions, but we’re also providing actionable steps to take each day this week! Today’s action is: support others. Learn more at mhanational.org/miaw. #7days7ways |
Wednesday, October 7: Eating Disorders
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Disordered eating and dangerous weight loss behaviors have unfortunately become normalized in our culture. Eating disorders are real, complex, and can have serious consequences. Learn more at mhanational.org/eatingdisorders. #MentalIllnessAwarenessWeek #7days7ways |
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If you think you may be struggling with an eating disorder and want to check your symptoms, a mental health screening can help. Take the eating disorder screen at MHAscreening.org. #MentalIllnessAwarenessWeek #7days7ways |
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As the #COVID19 pandemic continues, many people are finding themselves increasingly struggling with their #mentalhealth. Learn more about owning your feelings and moving through emotional discomfort: [https://mhanational.org/events/owning-your-feelings-moving-through-emotional-discomfort] #MentalIllnessAwarenessWeek #7days7ways |
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For #MentalIllnessAwarenessWeek, not only are we sharing information about mental health conditions, but we’re also providing actionable steps to take each day this week! Today’s action is: reset and engage in self-care. Learn more at mhanational.org/miaw. #7days7ways |
Thursday, October 8: Depression (National Depression Screening Day)
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According to the World Health Organization (WHO), depression is a leading cause of disability around the world. Depression is a real condition and goes way beyond just feeling sad. Learn more at mhanational.org/depression. #MentalIllnessAwarenessWeek #7days7ways |
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Today is #NationalDepressionScreeningDay! Get screened at mhascreening.org. The depression screen is also available in Spanish: [http://bit.ly/pruebadedepresion] #MentalIllnessAwarenessWeek #7days7ways |
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Whether we’re going through a shared crisis like a pandemic or struggling in our daily lives, writing can be a way to manage the challenge. Learn more about how writing can help with mental health challenges: [https://mhanational.org/events/writing-through-lived-experience-writing-support-your-mental-health-journey] #MentalIllnessAwarenessWeek #7days7ways |
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For #MentalIllnessAwarenessWeek, not only are we sharing information about mental health conditions, but we’re also providing actionable steps to take each day this week! Today’s action is: get screened. Learn more at mhanational.org/miaw. #7days7ways |
Friday, October 9: PTSD
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Trauma happens more often than we think and, left untreated, can be deadly. While many people experience trauma, not everyone who experiences trauma develops Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). Learn more at mhanational.org/ptsd. #MentalIllnessAwarenessWeek #7day7ways |
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We’re still in the middle of a global pandemic, which is a type of collective trauma in addition to climate change-related disasters, financial stress, and civil unrest. Check-in on your mental health at mhascreening.org, #MentalIllnessAwarenessWeek #7days7ways |
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If you need immediate response for a crisis, MHA has a list of resources at mhanational.org/crisisresources for issues like suicide, disaster distress, domestic violence, and more. #MentalIllnessAwarenessWeek #7days7ways |
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For #MentalIllnessAwarenessWeek, not only are we sharing information about mental health conditions, but we’re also providing actionable steps to take each day this week! Today’s action is: get mental health into the debates. Learn more at mhanational.org/miaw. #7days7ways |
Saturday, October 10: Addiction/Substance Use Disorders and World Mental Health Day
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Substance use disorders - commonly known as addiction - affects millions each year. It can also co-occur with mental health conditions. Learn more about substance use disorders at mhanational.org/substanceusedisorder. #MentalIllnessAwarenessWeek #7days7ways |
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If you need help determining if your use of alcohol or drugs is an area to address, take the substance use screen at MHAScreening.org to get started. #MentalIllnessAwarenessWeek #7day7ways |
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People with substance use disorders are at particular risk with #COVID19. From respiratory issues to isolation, learn more about the potential implications of COVID-19 for individuals with substance use disorders: [https://www.drugabuse.gov/about-nida/noras-blog/2020/04/covid-19-potential-implications-individuals-substance-use-disorders] #MentalIllnessAwarenessWeek #7days7ways |
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For #MentalIllnessAwarenessWeek, not only are we sharing information about mental health conditions, but we’re also providing actionable steps to take each day this week! Today’s action is: give. Learn more at mhanational.org/miaw. #7days7ways |
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People around the world have been impacted by the #COVID19 pandemic - especially those who already had existing concerns. Learn more about coping with mental health concerns: [https://mhanational.org/covid19/existing-concerns] #MentalIllnessAwarenessWeek #7days7ways #WorldMentalHealthDay #WMHD20 |
Mental Illness Awareness Week Resources
Crisis Resources: http://mhanational.org/crisisresources
Learning About Mental Illnesses:
https://mhanational.org/mentalillnessfeelslike
Infographic: Life With Depression
Infographic: Life With Psychosis
Infographic: Life With Anxiety
Infographic: Life With Bipolar
https://screening.mhanational.org/content/what-mental-illness-sciency-article
https://screening.mhanational.org/content/how-common-mental-illness
https://screening.mhanational.org/content/mental-illness-genetic
https://mhanational.org/conditions/adhd-and-add
https://mhanational.org/conditions/anxiety
https://mhanational.org/conditions/bipolar-disorder
https://mhanational.org/conditions/body-dysmorphic-disorder-bdd
https://mhanational.org/conditions/borderline-personality-disorder
https://mhanational.org/conditions/co-occurring-mental-health-and-substance-abuse
https://mhanational.org/conditions/conduct-disorder
https://mhanational.org/conditions/depression
https://mhanational.org/conditions/dissociation-and-dissociative-disorders
https://mhanational.org/conditions/eating-disorders
https://mhanational.org/conditions/excoriation-disorder-skin-picking-or-dermatillomania
https://mhanational.org/conditions/obsessive-compulsive-disorder-ocd
https://mhanational.org/conditions/panic-disorder
https://mhanational.org/conditions/paranoia-and-delusional-disorders
https://mhanational.org/conditions/personality-disorder
https://mhanational.org/conditions/phobias
https://mhanational.org/conditions/post-traumatic-stress-disorder
https://mhanational.org/conditions/pregnancy-and-postpartum-disorders
https://mhanational.org/conditions/psychosis
https://mhanational.org/conditions/schizoaffective-disorder
https://mhanational.org/conditions/schizophrenia
https://mhanational.org/conditions/seasonal-affective-disorder-sad
https://mhanational.org/conditions/self-injury-cutting-self-harm-or-self-mutilation
https://mhanational.org/conditions/social-anxiety-disorder
https://mhanational.org/conditions/trichotillomania-hair-pulling
Recognizing Signs of Mental Illnesses:
https://screening.mhanational.org/content/how-do-i-know-if-i-have-mental-illness
https://mhanational.org/b4stage4-get-informed
Treatment and Recovery:
https://mhanational.org/recovery-support
https://screening.mhanational.org/content/mental-illness-curable
https://mhanational.org/get-involved/b4stage4-where-get-help-0
https://mhanational.org/how-insurance-works
https://mhanational.org/paying-care
https://mhanational.org/mental-health-treatments
https://mhanational.org/types-mental-health-professionals
https://mhanational.org/taking-good-care-yourself
https://mhanational.org/care-your-health
Additional Resources:
https://arc.mhanational.org/find-an-affiliate
https://mhanational.org/mha-webinars
https://mhanational.org/podcast
https://mhanational.org/newsroom/chiming-in
En Español
Recursos de Crisis: https://mhanational.org/respuestainmediata
Aprender Sobre Enfermedades Mentales:
Infografía: Convivir Con El Trastorno Bipolar
Infografía: Convivir Con La Ansiedad
Infografía: Convivir Con La Depresion
Infografía: Convivir Con La Psicosis
Esquizofrenia: Lo Que Usted Necesita Saber
Trastorno Bipolar: Lo Que Usted Necesita Saber
Realice Enfermedades Mentales:
AntesdelaEtapa4: Realice Una Prueba De Salud Mental
Lista De Verificación De Los Señales De La Depresión
Tratamiento y Recuperación
AntesdelaEtapa4: Obtenga Ayuda
Infografía: Convivir Con La Recuperación
Otros Recursos: https://mhanational.org/otros-recursos
This campaign is supported by contributions from Janssen: Pharmaceutical Companies of Johnson & Johnson and Otsuka America Pharmaceutical, Inc.
