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AKA/NAMI Mental Health Impact Day

Jackson Advocate - 5/2/2016

JANS - April 9, 2016, was AKA/NAMI Mental Health Awareness Impact Day. AKA/ NAMI Mental Health Awareness Day is designed to raise consciousness regarding mental health within the African American community.

In support of this AKA impact day, Mayor Tony Yarber issued a proclamation declaring April 9 as AKA/NAMI Mental Health Awareness Day in the City of Jackson. The proclamation commended NAMIMississippi and Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated, Rho Lambda Omega Chapter for their work to raise awareness and provide assistance in the area of mental health awareness.

During the Rho Lambda Omega April sorority meeting, NAMI public policy director Gloria Mwase spoke to the sorority sisters regarding the NAMI Stepping Up Initiative. According to Mwase, the initiative is a national effort to divert people with mental illness away from jails and into treatment. "Once in jail, many individuals don't receive the treatment they need and end up getting worse, not better," said Mwase. "They stay longer than their counterparts without mental illness."

In addition to the information provided by National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI), mental health assessments were provided to chapter members. "We have several licensed mental health professionals in our chapter. They administered the assessments." said Sharon Bridges, Esq., president, Rho Lambda Omega chapter. "As sorority members we often provide services for the community. We thought it was important to provide check-ups for ourselves. Without mental health, we cannot be healthy." Several sorority members took advantage of the assessments."

According to the Office of Minority Health, African Americans are 20% more likely to experience mental health problems than the general population. Common mental health disorders among African American's included: major depression, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, suicide, and posttraumatic stress disorder. "Anyone can develop a mental health problem. Without proper treatment, mental conditions can worsen and make it hard to live day-to-day," said Jennie Hall, LCSW, health promotions co-chairman. "It is important for Alpha Kappa Alpha to serve all mankind by providing information and support to the community in the area of mental health."