Mental Illness Awareness Week, October 5-11, is an annual, national observance that was created in 1990 by a Presidential proclamation to focus attention on the high incidence of mental illness in America. The purpose is to educate the public about mental illness and reduce the stigmas associated with it.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, one in seven children and adolescents in the United States suffer from mental illness. Fewer than 20 percent of these children receive needed treatment and the situation is aggravated by poverty or trauma. People from diverse communities often face additional barriers to treatment, such as discrimination and a lack of culturally competent mental health providers and services.

Local Group Tackles Issues
Milwaukee's children and families who not only contend with mental health issues but also face the challenges of poverty are the focus of a one-day program, Meeting the Mental Health Needs of People of Color in Poverty, on November 19 at the UWM School of Continuing Education. Participants will acquire tools, techniques, and strategies to develop practical skills for working with individuals and families who live in poverty and suffer from mental illness.

To learn more about this valuable event, contact Rick Flowers at 414-227-3358 or visit the Youth Work Learning Center.