Mental Health Awareness week and free, anonymous MH screening:

[Amy Kates]

Across all ages, races, and genders, nearly one in four adults suffer from a diagnosable mental health issue in a given year. In conjunction with Mental Health Awareness Week and with the generous support of @[198922778394:274:Kappa Alpha Theta Foundation], Theta has launched a new program offering free, anonymous mental health screenings to collegiate members, Theta alumnae and also non-members. Join the initiative—Sisters Supporting Sisters—to help increase dialogue, awareness and support for all aspects of mental health. More info and links to the free, anonymous screening test here: http://bit.ly/1bHK8uH

[KDCat]

Very cool! Y'all are doing good work!

[UVA17]

Paging DrPhil...

[DrPhil]

Thank you for announcing Mental Health Awareness Week. I have great respect for the people who do this kind of work because mental health is no joke. I volunteer in the mental health system and everyday I realize how much some of us take for granted what it means to be of sound mind and body. I never make people with diagnosable mental conditions feel joked, demeaned, or ashamed. It could have been any of us in that position. There is nothing to be ashamed of and I am among the people trying to remove the stigma particularly for racial and ethnic minorities. Going to predominantly Black churches and HBCUs is one way that mental health is being addressed across the country.

[DrPhil]

This made me think of this thread. His mother was on Dr. Drew's HLN show this evening. Very sad.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/1...n_4089615.html

[als463]

Originally Posted by DrPhil

Thank you for announcing Mental Health Awareness Week. I have great respect for the people who do this kind of work because mental health is no joke. I volunteer in the mental health system and everyday I realize how much some of us take for granted what it means to be of sound mind and body. I never make people with diagnosable mental conditions feel joked, demeaned, or ashamed. It could have been any of us in that position. There is nothing to be ashamed of and I am among the people trying to remove the stigma particularly for racial and ethnic minorities. Going to predominantly Black churches and HBCUs is one way that mental health is being addressed across the country.

Wow. I didn't know you do this. I work in the mental health field and I absolutely love that you volunteer your time to something so worthy. I don't expect anything less than greatness from you regarding volunteerism but, it really makes me happy to see that there are people out there trying to remove the stigma attached to mental health issues. I try to do the same thing. Thank you for doing this.

[DrPhil]

You're too kind. I have come a long way about this topic. It took being around friends, family, colleagues, and acquaintances with mental health conditions, and learning the prevalence of mental health conditions in the U.S. and the world, for me to stop stigmatizing and making assumptions. I remember being around (African-Americans) friends years ago and someone made an unfunny "crazy joke" at which time another friend tearfully shared her mental health diagnosis. We all know people with (even more temporary or conditional) mental and emotional diagnoses and we can only hope that we will never be among the people (even due to illness or age) struggling to be of perceivably "sound mind". I have the utmost respect for consumers of mental health services and their supporters.

[DrPhil]

TTT