Mental Health America of Wisconsin is bringing awareness to the prevalence of mental illness. Kristina Finnel is president and CEO of the group. “But it’s real, it’s common, and it’s treatable. … If you had cancer, you’d go receive treatment for your cancer; if you had diabetes, you’d take insulin shots; same as with a mental illness. You know you really need to take care of yourself.”
Finnel says, although progress has been made, there is still a lot of stigma among the population as well as self stigma, which she says is the number one barrier keeping people from seeking treatment.
What is mental illness? It includes bipolar, schizophrenia, trauma, post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), attention deficit disorder (ADD), ADHD, autism and depression. Finnel says although mental illness is prevalent and treatable, it’s not widely talked about.
“We haven’t gotten to the point of talking about it like we do with breast cancer. Years ago, we didn’t hear anything about breast cancer; we didn’t talk about it. Now it’s everywhere. … hopefully someday we can get to the point of mental illness being in that same category.”
Mental Health America says one in four adults is struggling with a treatable mental health condition. The state suicide rate is three times greater than the state homicide rate, according to the state Health Department, and second only to breast cancer deaths.
In 2008, 737 Wisconsin residents took their own lives, which brought the state’s suicide rate to the highest level in 20 years. In addition to promoting awareness, Finnel says mental health advocates are worried about the effects Governor Scott Walker’s proposed funding cuts will have on mental health services.
May is Mental Health Awareness month.