Shine light and hope on mental illness

The first week in October is traditionally Mental Illness Awareness Week. It is recognized and celebrated in the same manner as Breast Cancer, Black History Month and other good causes.

Mental illnesses are common in one in four individuals and one in five families is affected. If you do not know someone with mental illness, you have passed him or her in your daily lives. Life has been cruel for this population. It is one of the most agonizing human conditions known to mankind.

On average, people go 10 years without a diagnosis and death rates are 25 years earlier than the general population. However, treatments work. Medication and talk therapy are effective. This is a brain issue. It could be a pancreas, kidney or heart and it is no more mystical than that.

The trouble is that half of the people with mental illness are not getting treatment. Even if they do, it may not be successful.

You need not fear people with mental illness. Studies have proven violence rates run lower and the rates for being a victim run higher than in the average population.

What can we do? The National Alliance on Mental Illness is a grass-roots non-profit organization with 1,100 affiliates nationwide. There are organizations in Cedar Rapids and Iowa City. NAMI offers support groups and educational opportunities.

We advocate and make a difference in people's lives. NAMI is your “quick stop shop” for families, friends and peers.

The University of Iowa is a center for schizophrenia research. Mental health services are delivered countywide and Abbe Community Mental Health Center in Cedar Rapids is a hub.

Funding is a problem. A public health care option would serve this population well. These are people who are down on their luck and in real need. Medicare and Medicaid are a vital part of life and an open and competitive system is needed to serve the mentally ill population.

Teddy Roosevelt started this process 100 years ago. The time has come.

I have had a serious mental illness for 30 years and 17 of those years were severe agony. The past 13 years have given me a wonderful recovery experience.

During the week of Oct. 4 take time to reflect and become aware of mental health issues. Never give up hope.

Steve J. Miller of Cedar Rapids is a member of the National Alliance on Mental Illness.