Thanks to Faithnet NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Illness), which has given us permission to share these ideas:
Ask clergy to include mental illness in a sermon, pastoral prayer or other liturgies.
Invite a speaker from the community to give a presentation on a mental illness.
Reach out directly to members of civic organizations—Kiwanis, Rotary Club, Lions Club or Knights of Columbus—to raise awareness of mental illness.
Ask the Doctor” Educational Session
Host a seminar and have a health care provider—psychiatrist, psychologist or psychopharmacologist—discuss the latest treatments for specific mental illnesses. Follow the presentation with an open microphone question and answer session with attendees.
Book Store Displays and Library Donations
Work with the manager of a bookstore in your community to create a temporary display for Mental Illness Awareness. Assist with gathering a sample of recommended reading on topics of mental illness, recovery, and inspiration.
Movie Night
Screen a film where mental illness is a central theme at a local school, church or community center and invite students, teachers and the general public. After the screening, discuss what it would be like to have a mental illness and some of the myths about mental illness by arranging a panel of families and consumers to share their experiences. (Be sure to prescreen movies before publicizing. Some themes and language may be suitable for some audiences and not for others.) Some choices for movies include:
• The Soloist
• A Beautiful Mind
• People Say I’m Crazy
• Canvas
• When Medicine Got It Wrong
• Out of the Shadow
Veterans’ Event
The Veterans Administration (U.S.) has a Mental Illness Research, Education, and Clinical Center where you can find useful tools to combine with Mental Illness Awareness efforts. Contact recovery and/or suicide prevention coordinators at local Departments of Veterans Affairs. Talk with your local VA facility, American Legion or VFW posts about organizing joint events. NAMI’s Veteran Resource Center has many resources. For more information and to find your local VA facility, visit www.va.gov. or Veterans Affairs Canada. VA Canada has a section on Mental Health resources as well.
