​This year, we ask our clients and their caretaker what mental illness awareness means to them. Here’s what they had to say:

“Mental Illness Awareness means recognizing that mental illness is as important as any physical illness.” – Client

“Mental health awareness means talking about mental illness, sharing real life stories of recovery from mental illnesses.” – Client

“Mental illness awareness for me is being comfortable talking about my mental health without the fear of being judged for it.” – Client

“It means the knowledge that mental disorders are not something created out of “black magic” or “curse” or “bad karma”. Mental disorders are result of our inability to cope with the environment, sometimes and we need help to help ourselves. Early diagnosis, intervention and family support can make life of persons with mental illness better. It means the ability to appreciate the effort of people with mental illnesses.” – Client

“It means to educate myself to the extent that I can separate the person from the illness.” – Client

“Educating people to accept mental illnesses, non-judgmental attitude and care can improve quality of life for those with mental illness and their families.” – Caretaker

“Mental illness awareness means acceptance and love rather than shame. It means the beginning of hope.” Caretaker

“It means recognizing that mental illness affects not only the individual, but everyone in the family and to entire communities. Support to mentally ill person and the family facilitate fast recovery” – Caretaker

“It means educating people on mental illness, its prevention, management,and removing the stigma around mental illnesses.” – Caretaker

Mental Health Awareness means raising awareness about mental illnesses, its risk factors and strategies to prevent mental illnesses, identifying early signs and seek professional help. It also means accepting people suffering from mental illness without judgments. It means promoting behavioural and emotional well-being of a person.

Join our hands to create awareness on mental illnesses in our societies and adapt positive lifestyles and create happy and healthy society.