Greater Kansas City Mental Health Coalition

One in four people will be diagnosed with a mental illness this year.

According to the National Institute of Mental Health, “mental illness is more common than cancer, diabetes or heart disease.”

While commonplace, many people won’t talk about mental illness because of the stigma attached to it. The Greater Kansas City Mental Health Coalition is here to start the conversation about mental illness…

“It’s real. It’s common. It’s treatable. And it’s OK to talk about it.”

depressed older adult woman The biggest impact of stigma around mental illness, or wherever stigma shows up, is isolation, shame and the feeling of being separate from the support and care of loved ones and community. What’s the biggest step toward combating stigma? It’s simple. Just reaching out with normal, caring conversation to let your loved one know you care and you’re there for them.

For more information on the Coalition’s work to reduce the stigma of mental illness and ideas about talking with someone you care about who is dealing with mental illness, visit itsok.us.

About the Mental Health Coalition

In 2010, a group of concerned individuals in the Jewish community had a frank conversation about mental illness, suicide and our community’s response to grief and loss. The result was the formation of the Jewish Community Mental Health Coalition (JCMHC) made up of Jewish Family Services, the Rabbinical Association of Greater Kansas City and a dedicated group of volunteers.

Interest in the Coalition’s campaign grew, and today the Coalition consists of more than 25 diverse organizations and institutions. Under the leadership of Jewish Family Services, the Coalition is dedicated to taking mental illness out of the shadows so all those dealing with it can have the support of their friends and family.

To learn more about the Greater Kansas City Mental Health Coalition and its programs, visit www.itsok.us.