Miss-Delectable
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- Apr 18, 2004
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Thousands raised for causes in three walks
Mental Illness
In any given year, one in five Americans will suffer from a mental illness such as depression, schizophrenia or bipolar disorder, said Bob McFadden, president of the Louisville branch of the National Alliance on Mental Illness.
But the stigma surrounding mental illness "is so powerful people will not even talk about the fact that they have a family member" who suffers, he said.
Kentucky ranks No. 1 in the nation for people over 65 with mental disorders, said Mark Birdwhistell, secretary of the state Cabinet for Health and Family Services.
Michelle Niehaus, coordinator of the deaf and hard of hearing services program at Seven Counties Services, said only three mental health therapists in Kentucky are trained in American Sign Language and deaf culture, which "puts people in really horrible situations" if they are deaf and mentally ill.
Sarah Acland, 66, of Louisville, has worked as a psychiatrist for more than three decades. "People tend to be scared of mental illness and that's not necessary," said Acland. "The mentally ill can be very lonely."
Kendra Pollard, whose mother was schizophrenic and who herself has battled mental illness, said she was walking for exercise and for awareness.
Pollard, 22, of Louisville, wanted people to understand "that instead of calling us crazy they should know that we're all unique."
Mental Illness
In any given year, one in five Americans will suffer from a mental illness such as depression, schizophrenia or bipolar disorder, said Bob McFadden, president of the Louisville branch of the National Alliance on Mental Illness.
But the stigma surrounding mental illness "is so powerful people will not even talk about the fact that they have a family member" who suffers, he said.
Kentucky ranks No. 1 in the nation for people over 65 with mental disorders, said Mark Birdwhistell, secretary of the state Cabinet for Health and Family Services.
Michelle Niehaus, coordinator of the deaf and hard of hearing services program at Seven Counties Services, said only three mental health therapists in Kentucky are trained in American Sign Language and deaf culture, which "puts people in really horrible situations" if they are deaf and mentally ill.
Sarah Acland, 66, of Louisville, has worked as a psychiatrist for more than three decades. "People tend to be scared of mental illness and that's not necessary," said Acland. "The mentally ill can be very lonely."
Kendra Pollard, whose mother was schizophrenic and who herself has battled mental illness, said she was walking for exercise and for awareness.
Pollard, 22, of Louisville, wanted people to understand "that instead of calling us crazy they should know that we're all unique."