According to the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI), each year millions of Americans face the reality of living with a mental illness. During May, NAMI and other organizations are raising awareness of mental health. Each year we fight stigma, provide support, educate the public and advocate for policies that support people with mental illness and their families. Read more about mental health with the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH).

Here are a few titles to check out on the topic:
The Collected Schizophrenias by Esmé Weijun Wang – discusses the medical community’s own disagreement about labels and procedures for diagnosing those with mental illness, and then follows an arc that examines the manifestations of schizophrenia in her life.

Insane: America’s Treatment of Mental Illness by Alisa Roth – an expose of the mental-health crisis in America’s courts and prisons reveals that nearly half of the nation’s inmates are actually afflicted by a psychiatric problem, examines how inmates are denied treatment, and suggests a more humane approach.

Depression in Later Life: An Essential Guide by Deborah Serani – depression is one of the leading mental disorders in any age group, but among the elderly it is often viewed as a normal part of aging. It is not. Depression at any age requires attention and treatment. For sufferers and their families and caregivers, this go-to guide introduces readers to depression among the aging and elderly.

Local Resources:
Partner for Mental Health provides connections, education, and advocacy for individuals, family members, clinicians, and other stakeholders to promote mental health and support recovery. 434.977.4673

Region Ten is part of a statewide network of 40 Community Service Boards working to provide mental health, intellectual disability and substance use services where they are needed – in the local community. 434.972.1800 or 866.694.1605

The Women’s Initiative has free one-on-one sessions with a counselor during walk-in clinic hours. 434.872.0047