In recent years, there has been an increasing focus on mental health — and with good reason. Here are just a few quick stats for you:
- 20% of adults in the U.S. suffer from mental illness every year
- 4% of adults in the U.S. suffer from serious mental illness every year
- 17% of minors between the ages of 6 and 17 suffer a mental illness every year
- The second leading cause of death for those between the ages of 10 and 34 is suicide
Despite increasing attention, mental health issues still tend to come with a strong stigma. Often, people don’t seek help. And many who try discover that it is far more difficult than they expected to get the assistance they need.
The National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) is well aware of these problems. They have been fighting to “promote community wellness, break down barriers to mental health care, and provide support and expertise for families, professionals and individuals” since 1979.
NAMI Chicago, headed by CEO Alexa James, believes that everyone deserves access to mental health services regardless of who they are, what they do, and where they come from. To that end, NAMI strives to raise awareness about mental health problems, advocate for increased access to services, and serve as a (sometimes literal) lifeline to those in need and their loved ones. NAMI connects those in need with professionals and even meets people in person to provide support.
If you or someone you love in the Greater Chicago Area is in need of mental health assistance, head to the NAMI Chicago website, call 833-NAMI-CHI, or contact one of the three area branches directly:
NAMI Chicago
1801 W Warner Ave Suite 202 Chicago, IL 60613
312.563.0445
info@namichicago.org
(708) 335-4008
marianne.bithos@gmail.com
NAMI Cook County North Suburban
8324 Skokie Blvd
Skokie, IL 60077
(847) 716-2252
admin@namiccns.org