According to the National Alliance on Mental Illness, one in four adults–approximately 61.5 million Americans–experiences mental illness in a given year. Individuals living with serious mental illness face an increased risk of having chronic medical conditions and on average die 25 years earlier than other Americans, largely due to treatable medical conditions.

NAMI has established this week (October 5th-11th) as Mental Illness Awareness week. Since 1990, this week has been used to organize community events, education initiatives for the public, and online resources for those struggling with a mental health condition.

For more information about CBAM’s behavioral medicine program, click here.

For more information on Mental Illness Awareness Week, click here.

About

CBAM is a multidisciplinary center that seeks to advance the prevention and treatment of chronic illnesses, especially in communities with health disparities. As part of the UCLA Department of Family Medicine, CBAM works at the intersection of academia and community with a focus on treating addictions and preventing the spread of HIV.

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