Each year, millions of Americans face the reality of living with a mental health condition. In honor of Mental Illness Awareness Week (MIAW) on Oct. 6-12, 2019, the El Paso Locomotive FC, Emergence Health Network, and NAMI El Paso have partnered up to bring awareness to the community. Since 1990, when Congress officially established the first full week of October as MIAW, advocates have worked together to sponsor activities, large and small, to educate the public about mental illness.
On October 10th, the three groups will come together for the El Paso Locomotive vs Austin Bold to celebrate World Mental Health Day. One in five adults experience mental illness every year, and 50% of chronic mental illness begins by age 14. Although many people today understand that mental illness is a medical condition, there are too many myths surrounding mental health conditions. And with these myths comes stigma, misunderstanding and discrimination.
We believe that mental health conditions are important to discuss year-round but highlighting them during World Mental Health Day and Mental Illness Awareness Week provides a dedicated time for mental health advocates across the country to come together as one unified voice.
NAMI El Paso is selling tickets to the game for $18 each to raise money so they can continue their mission to provide awareness, advocacy, support, and education to the community at no cost. Individuals interested can call (915) 245-8971.
There are many ways to get involved and show you care by sharing stories about how you care for others, how support or care you received has impacted your journey, or what it means to have access to treatment and quality care. Individuals can visit https://www.nami.org/Get-Involved/Awareness-Events/WhyCare for more information.