Organization Kicks Off Mental Illness Awareness Campaign
The shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary School last December that killed 20 children and six staff members catapulted the debate over gun control and mental illness into the national discussion like never before.
Now, a local chapter of a national organization dedicated to improving the quality of life of those suffering from mental illness and their families doesn’t want that issue to lose momentum more than four months after the tragedy.
The Westchester chapter of the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) started its first ever Mental Health Awareness Ribbon Campaign on Wednesday, May 1. The month-long effort, which coincides with Mental Health Awareness Month, will feature white, blue and gold ribbons tied around trees and lampposts in 27 communities throughout the county.
Stamatia Pappas, the president of the board of directors for NAMI Westchester, said the ribbon campaign should help to bring the issue of mental illness and those seeking treatment more into the public’s consciousness. Municipal buildings, libraries and some shopkeepers in each of the participating municipalities will also have literature for people to take.
Pappas said mental illness remains a subject that many people are still uncomfortable addressing. As a result, the subject often does not attract the attention needed and could prevent some people from seeking treatment.
“We want to have people talking about the need for better treatment and at an earlier age,” she said.
Among the communities that are participating in the ribbon campaign are White Plains, Mount Kisco, Yorktown, Bedford and the North Castle hamlets of Armonk and North White Plains.
In addition to the ribbons, Pappas said the organization has also scheduled NAMIWalk Westchester, a 5K walk to be held on Saturday, May 18 at Rye Town Park. The event begins at 9:30 a.m. with registration starting a half hour earlier. To learn more about the walk or to register, visit www. namiwalks.org/westchester.
Earlier this year, NAMI Executive Director Michael Fitzpatrick and other leaders met with President Obama calling for steps to be taken “to begin rebuilding this broken system of care.”
Five steps outlined by the national organization includes training teachers, school staff, law enforcement, families and members of the community to spot the signs of mental illness and intervene before a crisis erupts; addressing the stigma that surrounds mental illness and promoting the value of treatment; improving treatment for individuals between 16 and 25 years old; training thousands of new mental health professionals so services are available to those who need them; and releasing the final regulations to allow for the full implementation and enforcement of the 2008 health insurance parity law.
For more information about NAMI Westchester, visit www.nami.org.
Martin has more than 30 years experience covering local news in Westchester and Putnam counties, including a frequent focus on zoning and planning issues. He has been editor-in-chief of The Examiner since its inception in 2007. Read more from Martin’s editor-author bio here. Read Martin’s archived work here: https://www.theexaminernews.com/author/martin-wilbur2007/
