NAMI bus visits Troy to increase awareness of mental illness

Troy, OH: The NAMImobile is visiting Troy as part of the 2014 anti-discrimination against mental illness bus tour. NAMI is the National Alliance for Mental Illness, with both statewide and local affiliates. The visit offers community members and media the opportunity to speak with representatives from local and state mental health organizations.

The bus will be located at the Troy Daily News building, 224 S. Market Street, Monday, June 2, from noon to 1 PM.

The purpose of the bus tour is to end discrimination against individuals and families affected by mental illness by getting the facts about mental illness out to the general public. Discrimination and stigma are major barriers to people seeking help for their mental illness. Through the course of the summer the NAMImobile will visit more than 100 communities in Ohio to share messaging and raise awareness about mental illness.

“We are excited that NAMI has chosen Troy as a stop on the bus tour,” said Mark McDaniel, Executive Director of the Tri-County Board of Recovery and Mental Health Services. “These kinds of public awareness events do a great job of promoting the kinds of help available right here in our community. NAMI’s local affiliate provides services vital to individuals and families in Miami, Darke and Shelby counties who may be living with mental illness.”

McDaniel said he has conferred with NAMI Ohio about arranging bus tour stops in Sidney and Greenville, but the dates have not yet been set.

One in four adults - approximately 2.9 million Ohioans – experience a mental health disorder in a given year. Half of all chronic mental illness begins by the age of 14; three-quarters by age 24. Early identification and treatment is of vital importance to recovery. In reference to a statement from the MIND Movement Partner Organizations, “Widespread discrimination or fear of discrimination against individuals with mental illness often causes shame, despair, and hopelessness and can negatively influence a person’s decision to seek treatment. Lack of treatment can result in hospitalization, loss of employment, court involvement, homelessness or worse, death.”

This NAMImobile visit was organized in coordination with the Tri-County Board of Recovery and Mental Health Services, the National Alliance on Mental Illness and the MIND (Mental Illness-No Discrimination) Movement. If you or someone you know is in need of mental health or recovery services in Darke, Miami or Shelby Counties, please call the Tri-County Crisis Hotline at 1-800-351-7347.

Residents of Darke, Miami and Shelby counties interested in joining a local NAMI affiliate should contact Kim McGuirk, NAMI Coordinator, 1100 Wayne Street, Suite 4000, Troy, or by email at McGuirkK@mdsadamhs.mh.state.oh.us. NAMI of Darke, Miami and Shelby Counties provides support groups and other information for persons or families of persons affected by mental illness.

NAMI Ohio is the statewide alliance that serves as the voice on mental illness. NAMI Ohio comprises thousands of family members, individuals, advocates and professionals working together to ensure that Ohioans with mental illness and their loved ones receive the treatment and support they need. Serious mental illness includes schizophrenia, bipolar disorder and major depression.

The MIND Movement is a collaboration of Ohio agencies, organizations, and individuals joining together to end discrimination surrounding mental illness. The mission is to ensure that all individuals living with mental illness are free from discrimination and actively seek treatment, wellness and recovery.