by Rachel Terzo
The Mental Illness Awareness Walk on Oct. 5 brought awareness to Mid Ohio Valley residents with the help of WVU Parkersburg psychology students, staff and local mental health professionals.
Mental Illness Awareness week was designed to not only inform people of mental illnesses, but to extend the message to those who suffer that they aren't alone in their struggles.
The Mental Illness Awareness Walk on Oct. 5 brought awareness to Mid Ohio Valley residents with the help of WVU Parkersburg psychology students, staff and local mental health professionals.
Mental Illness Awareness week was designed to not only inform people of mental illnesses, but to extend the message to those who suffer that they aren't alone in their struggles.
Mental illness affects millions of people across the nation. While there aren't many cures available aside from medication and support groups, the urgency to bring awareness and understanding to sufferers and those who support them, has increased with the constant research and discovery of different mental illnesses.
Treatment of a mental illness relies on a multitude of factors, including but not limited to awareness; education; camaraderie; and an open mind, ear and heart.
Dr. Gary Norum, local psychologist, shared his views on different mental illnesses, and offered encouraging words pertaining to how one can overcome mental illnesses brought on by the words of others. Dr. Norum introduced his book, “The Evil Tyranny Of Should,’’ which focused around how the simple use of certain words can make a person feel guilty, when all it takes to change someone's attitude is as easy as canceling out negative words. “Our words create our reality. You can change the way you think by changing the way you speak. A good, honest way to start your day is to say, 'I’m going to screw something up today.' Know that you’re human, and that it’s going to be okay,’’ Norum said.
Westbrook Health services also sponsored the event, with pamphlets for their services available.
Following Dr. Norum’s presentation, participants lined up to prepare for the walk. The campus walking trail was lined with informative posters, created by students in the WVU Parkersburg psychology classes. Each poster was dedicated to outlining numerous types of mental illnesses - common and obscure. Some of the posters identified certain celebrities that also suffer from a certain mental illness.
“Dr. Gary Norum’s infor-mative, entertaining and fun approach to sharing a positive mental health message was a wonderful addition to the week’s activities. The Mental Health Awareness Walk provided our campus community with an opportunity to not only learn about mental illness issues, but also the time to take practical 'steps' towards attaining and sustaining good mental and physical health,’’ Counselor Kurt Klettner said.
Treatment of a mental illness relies on a multitude of factors, including but not limited to awareness; education; camaraderie; and an open mind, ear and heart.
Dr. Gary Norum, local psychologist, shared his views on different mental illnesses, and offered encouraging words pertaining to how one can overcome mental illnesses brought on by the words of others. Dr. Norum introduced his book, “The Evil Tyranny Of Should,’’ which focused around how the simple use of certain words can make a person feel guilty, when all it takes to change someone's attitude is as easy as canceling out negative words. “Our words create our reality. You can change the way you think by changing the way you speak. A good, honest way to start your day is to say, 'I’m going to screw something up today.' Know that you’re human, and that it’s going to be okay,’’ Norum said.
Westbrook Health services also sponsored the event, with pamphlets for their services available.
Following Dr. Norum’s presentation, participants lined up to prepare for the walk. The campus walking trail was lined with informative posters, created by students in the WVU Parkersburg psychology classes. Each poster was dedicated to outlining numerous types of mental illnesses - common and obscure. Some of the posters identified certain celebrities that also suffer from a certain mental illness.
“Dr. Gary Norum’s infor-mative, entertaining and fun approach to sharing a positive mental health message was a wonderful addition to the week’s activities. The Mental Health Awareness Walk provided our campus community with an opportunity to not only learn about mental illness issues, but also the time to take practical 'steps' towards attaining and sustaining good mental and physical health,’’ Counselor Kurt Klettner said.