As you may know, the month of October is full of awareness activities for
mental health, that you may be addressing with your programs with patients,
consumers, and the general public.  Substance Abuse and Mental Health
Services Administration's (SAMHSA's) National Mental Health Information
Center will highlight topical mental health issues on its Web site, located
at http://www.mentalhealth.samhsa.gov/highlights/ that may be of interest to
you.  In particular, I thought you might be interested in Mental Illness
Awareness Week or Depression Screening Day, which are both held this week
(see below).

Each year, approximately 5.5 million Americans are disabled by serious
mental illnesses, such as schizophrenia, manic-depressive illness, and
severe depressive disorders. However, because of Federal, State, and
community group support and services, people with serious mental illness are
employable and can maintain independent lives. This month's mental health
observances are celebrating the accomplishments of those with mental
illnesses, while seeking to raise the public's awareness of the many
challenges people with mental illness face daily.

SAMHSA's National Mental Health Information Center is targeted to
individuals and families who use mental health services, mental health
services providers, and the general public. Visitors to the following pages
can get details about each health observance, related publications, other
resources, and referrals.

*** National Disability Employment Awareness Month
http://www.mentalhealth.samhsa.gov/highlights/October2002/disability/

This is an annual observance that recognizes the contributions of workers
with disabilities.

*** Mental Illness Awareness Week, October 6-12
http://www.mentalhealth.samhsa.gov/highlights/October2002/awareness/

This observance seeks to focus the public's attention on mental illness and
the many numbers of individuals and families it affects.

*** National Depression Screening Day, October 10
http://www.mentalhealth.samhsa.gov/highlights/October2002/depression/

Over 2,000 locations across the United States will offer depression
screening to the public.

These resources are available free to you and your organizations.  Please
link to them on your Web site, post the content to your site with a link to
the
National Mental Health Information Center as your source, or use them in any
other way that benefits you and your users.

Thank you for joining SAMHSA's National Mental Health Information Center in
our efforts to increase public awareness of mental illness and end the
stigma which affects the lives of people with mental illness.

Farra Trompeter
SAMHSA's National Mental Health Information Center
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National Mental Health Information Center
(http://www.mentalhealth.samhsa.gov/) is a service of the Substance Abuse
and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), U.S. Department of
Health and Human Services (HHS). Call 1-800-789-2647 for bilingual
information service.

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