Building Community, Taking Action
October 7-13, 2007

Since 1990, mental advocates across the country have joined together during the first week of October to celebrate Mental Illness Awareness Week (MIAW).
What is Mental Illness Awareness Week?

Established in 1990 by Congress, the first week of October is designated as “Mental Illness Awareness Week” (MIAW) in recognition of ’s efforts to raise mental illness awareness. “Bipolar Disorder Awareness Day” (BDAD) is held each year on the Thursday of MIAW to encourage further understanding and promote early intervention and treatment for this mental illness.

MIAW and BDAD are NAMI’s premiere public awareness and public education campaigns that link the organization nationally to the organization’s over 1100 local affiliates across the country.

Over the past 16 years, MIAW has become a tradition in NAMI. It presents an opportunity for all three levels of NAMI –national, state and local – to together in communities across the country in meeting the NAMI mission through a variety of outreach, educational, and advocacy efforts.
What is Bipolar Awareness Day?

Bipolar Disorder Awareness Day was created by NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Illness) and Abbott Laboratories to increase awareness of bipolar disorder, promote early detection and accurate diagnosis, reduce , and minimize the devastating impact on the 2.3 million Americans presently affected by the disorder.

BDAD activities focus on encouraging the community to:

* Learn more about the symptoms of bipolar disorder and mental illness and understand its impact on society.
* Participate in a free mental health screening held in many communities.
* Reach out to individuals suffering from bipolar disorder or mental illness.
* Encourage individuals with bipolar disorder to seek treatment.

On this day..