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Brown County Browser: One in Four – Will it be you?

Mental illness is a condition that has been misunderstood and a treated as a source of shame for far too long.   Mental Illness is not a choice.  It is a disease of the brain that may cause disturbances in a person’s thinking, feelings, moods and ability to relate to other people.  Mental health is just as important as our physical health, which is why we are part of a local effort to stop the silence and the stigma.  The effort is part of a campaign called “Make It OK,” and is designed to encourage people to talk more openly about mental illnesses and ask for help.

Stop the silence surrounding mental illnesses

Mental illnesses are as common as silver cars, as people with brown eyes and more common than being left-handed.  Despite being one of the most common illnesses, there is still a stigma attached to mental illnesses and many people struggle with talking about them.

It’s OK to have a mental illness – many of us do

One in four Americans from every walk of life experiences a mental illness. Most people live with the symptoms of a mental illness for ten years before seeking treatment, largely due to the stigma. The sooner people get treatment, the greater their chances of recovery.

It’s OK because it is a medical condition – not

a character flaw

Mental illnesses are biological conditions that can be treated, just like cancer and diabetes. They cannot be overcome through “will power” and are not related to a person’s character or intelligence.

It’s OK because it’s treatable – life can get better

The best treatments for serious mental illnesses today are highly effective. In fact, between 70 – 90 percent of peoples’ symptoms are reduced and feel better when following individualized treatment plans.

Together, we can

Make It OK

Together, we can all work to reduce the stigma. Visit MakeItOk.org .

There are many qualified mental health providers in Brown County and the surrounding area including;  Sioux Trails Mental Health Center, Eunoia Family Resource Center, New Ulm Medical Center as well as many private and faith-based providers.   If you feel you need additional support in finding resources to address your symptoms Brown County Human Services has an experienced and qualified team of social workers available to help you plan, problem solve, make referrals and follow up to see that services are appropriate and effective for your needs.  Check out our website for more information: https://www.co.

brown.mn.us

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