Mental illness is nobody's fault and it is not a character weakness. It is not caused by poor parenting. You don't catch it from a doorknob or from the person sitting next to you on the bus. There is no room for shame, blame or misinformation. Brain disorders are not preventable or curable.
Help is available, and treatment works.
Treatment response rates for mental illnesses are very good, especially compared to physical illnesses. I'd like to show you a 10 minute video on treatment of brain disorders. I hope you've enjoyed this presentation. If you would like more information about the local AMI or NAMI, or Mental Illness, please ask one of the people on this panel before you leave.