I'm walking for those who deal with mental illness. I'm walking for people you and I know.

One in five people in America experiences major mental illness so it's very likely that you know someone whose life has been affected by it. I certainly do. Maybe it's a family member, maybe it's a friend, maybe it's you. Mental illness affects not only the person with the illness but also their loved ones.

This is where NAMI comes in. The National Alliance on Mental Illness supports those affected; it educates, it advocates. It is an association of hundreds of local affiliates, state organizations and volunteers who work to raise awareness and provide support and education that was not previously available to those in need.

NAMI Rensselaer County not only helped me find resources to assist my loved one, it provided, and continues to provide, support and education for me.

I now volunteer to teach a free 12-week educational class for families affected by mental illness; I'm a facilitator for a support group; I'm treasurer for NAMI Rensselaer County.

I'll be walking in our third local NAMIWalks on September 29, 2018 to raise awareness and raise funds to help support our local NAMI affiliate, NAMI NY and NAMI(national).

Pam

"Squirt's Squad"

Lindsey Snide

In 2018, NAMI will promote the theme of of  "CureStigma" throughout all awareness events, including Mental Health Month.

Why this cause is important: One in 5 Americans is affected by mental health conditions. Stigma is toxic to their mental health because it creates an environment of shame, fear and silence that prevents many people from seeking help and treatment. The perception of mental illness won't change unless we act to change it.

Campaign manifesto: There's a virus spreading across America. It harms the 1 in 5 Americans affected by mental health conditions. It shames them into silence. It prevents them from seeking help. And in some cases, it takes lives. What virus are we talking about? It's stigma. Stigma against people with mental health conditions. But there's good news. Stigma is 100% curable. Compassion, empathy and understanding are the antidote. Your voice can spread the cure. Join NAMI, the National Alliance on Mental Illness. Together we can  #CureStigma.

Scientists at the Montreal Neurological Institute and Hospital (The Neuro) and McGill University have identified novel genes associated with a specific form of schizophrenia.

Schizophrenia is a major psychiatric illness affecting one per cent of the population worldwide. Patients suffering from schizophrenia present delusions, hallucinations, abnormal behavior, impairment in daily life and cognitive deficits. Current treatments are insufficient in addressing all of these symptoms.  The heritability of schizophrenia is estimated at 80 per cent, but the identification of genes associated with this illness has been challenging.

Teenagers with difficulties in social communication, including autism have higher rates of depressive symptoms, especially if they are being bullied.

Researchers at the University of Bristol, using questionnaire, clinic and genetic information on 6091 young people from the Children of the 90s longitudinal study, found that children with autism and those with autistic traits had more symptoms of depression when they were 10 years old than their peers and that this continued at least up to the age of 18.

Children with difficulties in social communication were also more likely to have a diagnosis of depression at 18 and the findings suggest an increased risk for those who suffered from bullying. The researchers did not find any link between having higher genetic tendencies towards autism and depressive symptoms.