Mental Illness Awareness Month proclaimed
SPEARFISH, SD – To shine a light on mental illness and fight stigma, provide support, educate the public, and advocate for equal care, Mayor John Senden proclaimed July 2022 as Mental Illness Awareness Month in Spearfish.
“It is important to maintain mental health and learn the symptoms of mental illness in order to get help when it is needed,” Mayor Senden said during the reading of the proclamation during Tuesday’s City Council meeting. “Every citizen and community can make a difference in helping end the silence and stigma that for too long has surrounded mental illness and discouraged people from getting help.”
Mental health is part of overall health, and many Americans experience times of difficulty and stress in their lives, the proclamation describes, adding that suicide is the 10th leading cause of death in the United States and the second leading cause among young adults. Ninety percent of people who die by suicide have an underlying mental illness.
“All citizens, businesses, schools, and community organizations are encouraged to take #StigmaFree pledge at www.nami.org/stigmafree in observance of Mental Illness Awareness Week,” Mayor Senden said.
Original source can be found here
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