Mental Illness Awareness Week (MIAW) is Oct. 6-12. This is an opportunity to learn more about mental illnesses such as major depression, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia and others.

It’s an opportunity to make a difference.

Most mental illness begins by age 24. Unfortunately, there are long delays — sometimes decades — between the first appearance of symptoms and when a person finally gets help.

Everyone needs to understand the nature of mental illness and learn the symptoms of different conditions. Mental illness does not discriminate. It can strike anyone at any time.

One in four families is impacted by mental illness; it could be your child, mother, father, sibling, your neighbor, co-worker, doctor, barista or the person that passes you on the street. The fact is that treatment is available but it isn’t always accessible.  Find out more about what’s happening in your community to get help for those in need. The only way to end stigma (and help individuals get the treatment they need) is through education.

In observance of MIAW, the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) Eastside in Redmond has scheduled the following events:

Oct. 5 from 11 a.m. to noon — Issaquah Library, 10 W. Sunset St., is hosting a display and a speaker from NAMI Eastside.

Oct. 6 from 1-5 p.m. — North Bend Library, 115 E. 4th.

Oct. 7 from 1-5 p.m. — Snoqualmie Library, 7824 Center Blvd. S.E.

Oct. 8 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. — Kirkland Library, 308 Kirkland Ave.

Other events include:

Join us in honoring two local heroes in the fight against mental illness at the MIAW Award presentation from 5-7 p.m. on Oct. 9 at the Together Center, 16315 N.E. 87th St., Rainier Room, Building A, Redmond. Light refreshments will be served.

In honor of World Mental Health Day, NAMI Eastside and Circle of Friends for Mental Health invite you to join us for a screening of “Hidden Pictures,” a new film by Dr. Delaney Ruston, local physician and award-winning filmmaker (“Unlisted: A Story of Schizophrenia” on PBS) and founder of MyDoc Productions, at 7 p.m. on Oct. 10 at Bellevue Four Square Church, 2015 Richards Rd., Bellevue. Light refreshments will be served. A Q-&-A panel will follow the screening. The event is free though donations are always appreciated.

The only way to end stigma is through education. Help yourself; help a loved one. Get the facts about mental illness.

Barbara Thompson

Executive director NAMI Eastside