Mental illness can affect people in every age group, race and social economic background. It can affect friends, loved ones, co-workers or neighbors. Many of who will choose silence and experience the illness alone. Many will keep their silence and will self medicate with drugs and/or alcohol.
 
Unlike many physical illnesses with a sudden and obvious onset, symptoms of many mental illnesses develop gradually over time. Many people mistake the symptoms of mental illnesses for those of some physical disorders.

Victims and their families must review extended periods of time to realize that emotional reactions, thought processes, and behaviors have changed. Sadly, only one in five people who suffer from these debilitating illnesses will recognize them and realize that treatment is highly successful.

Please join NAMI Cleveland County to help break the silence!