Mental health professionals and advocates from throughout the country will gather in San Diego this week for the 27th annual meeting of the National Alliance on Mental Illness. KPBS reporter Kenny Goldberg has the story.
NAMI is the nation’s largest group representing people living with mental illnesses. This year’s convention will feature breakout sessions on a variety of topics, including mental illness in seniors, and evidence-based treatment for children.
NAMI spokesman Bob Carolla says unfortunately, stigma remains a major problem in the United States.
Carolla : One of its impacts is that it causes people not to seek help when they need it, because of the fear, because of the sense of being an outcast.
The meeting will also highlight the need for early identification of mental disorders. Research shows 90 percent of people who commit suicide have a treatable mental illness.
Kenny Goldberg, KPBS News.
