Mental illnesses are medical conditions and require professional support to increase the chance of recovery for individuals living with them. While the understanding of mental illnesses has been increasing in some societies, the vast majority of the global population still lacks awareness of this issue and therefore continues to have negative attitudes toward individuals with mental health conditions.

Negative public attitude, or stigma, is one of the biggest factors that prevent people from getting necessary support and treatment when needed due to the fear of not being understood and/or accepted by those around them. Without a basic understanding of how mental illnesses can impact people’s lives, it is difficult to provide them with the support they need. Continuous work in educating the population, essential healthcare workers, and first responders about mental illnesses is needed to address this problem. Along with that, an increase in mental health services and access to available services will be essential in improving the overall health of the population.

I obtained an internship at NAMI Minnesota through the off-campus student employment program and work there from the Fall 2020 semester to Spring 2022. One of the main jobs I do is co-facilitating a family support group for young adults who are living with family or friends with mental illnesses. During this monthly meeting, I guide the group to provide a safe space where people from different backgrounds and lived experiences can receive validation. I also help to provide a productive session to support those who might be in the process of facing difficulties with their loved ones.

Aside from being a support group facilitator and a MYAB member, my role also includes implementing safe messaging around suicide and developing a quick guide on prefered language use to limit unwanted harm to individuals living with mental illnesses. Additionally, I also regularly assist the program coordinators in the organizing and the outreaching for educational events to raise awareness on mental health including the ‘State Conference’ and ‘In Our Own Voice’ events.

Over my 2 years working with NAMI, I have gained many essential mental health skills including training on crisis intervention and communication, leading support groups, outreach, organizing state-wide conferences and events. Through these experiences, I have learned a lot about the impacts of mental illnesses on both the individuals living with the conditions and their families. Learning about mental illnesses in class is valuable, but hearing first-hand stories from those impacted by them everyday was very awakening for me. There are many factors influencing one’s ability to get help and their recovery. First, lack of training in first responders to make appropriate responses. Second, limited access to mental health providers and facilities. Third, lack of flexibility at the workplace for those needing mental health support and lack of support and understanding from those around them. This experience has taught me that there are still many flaws in the system and more professionals are needed in the field to work together to improve this very important health issue.

NAMI Minnesota. (2022). About NAMI Minnesota. NAMI Minnesota: Home Page. Retrieved March 19, 2022, from https://namimn.org/

NAMI Minnesota. (2022). Resistance in Color Podcast Series. NAMI Minnesota: Education and Public Awareness. Retrieved March 19, 2022, from https://namimn.org/education-and-public-awareness/podcast-episodes/resistance-in-color-podcast-series/

Image Credits:

• The first image from NAMI Minnesota's Twitter referencing a NAMI blog by Rebecca Kim.

• The second image is from NAMI Minnesota's website highlighting the Wellness in Color Podcast series.