It’s time.

Time to make a difference in the lives of those living with a mental illness and the lives of everyone affected by mental illness.

It’s time because 1 in 4 American adults suffer from a mental illness every year, yet less than half of children and adults with diagnosable mental health problems receive treatment (NAMI). 

Events like NAMIWalks (the most successful mental health fundraising event in America) strive to make this difference every year by raising awareness and reducing stigma. DePaul staff and clients participated in the first-ever NAMI Walk in Rochester, NY last May.

NAMIWalks fosters a “we’re all in this together” mentality, but more often than not, seeking support for a mental illness is perceived as overwhelming or scary, something that Andrew, a resident of DePaul’s Neighborhood of the Arts (NOTA) Apartments knows all too well.

Diagnosed with depression in his twenties, Andrew “very much hid” the fact that he was feeling depressed from his family and his Pentecostal church family.

“Mental health and depression, in particular, were not terms that we used or talked about in a way that if you felt like you were suffering from them that you would go…and get help.”

Fortunately, Andrew is now a changed person, crediting DePaul’s stable living environment and support.

“DePaul has served as a guide for me coming out of the depression. It has served as a path for me to follow, but I’m the one who have (sic) to put the markers in.”

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For all of the people DePaul serves and will serve in the future, our programs (whether treatment, support or residential) provide the building blocks to change, improve or maintain one’s quality of life over the long term.

• To find treatment services in your area, call 1-800-662-HELP. The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline offers immediate assistance for all Americans, including service members and veterans, at 1-800-273-TALK.
• Learning to recognize the warning signs may sooner put you or someone you love on the path to recovery. Visit Mental Health America to learn more.
• For more information on Mental Illness Awareness Week, visit the National Alliance on Mental Illness website.