Kaya Osborn Senior Art Project at Compass Health Open House

Friday, May 6, 4:30 – 6:30 p.m., 1286 Mt. Baker Road Suite B-206

— from Marla Y. Johns, of Compass Health —

You may be surprised to learn, one in five adults experiences a mental health problem in any given year and one in 17 adults lives with mental illness such as major depression, bipolar disorder or schizophrenia. When translated, those numbers mean that approximately 880 adults on Orcas Island have experienced a mental health problem this year. This also means that approximately 258 adults live with a serious mental illness such as major depression, bipolar disorder or schizophrenia.

We know that approximately one-half of chronic mental illness begins by the age of 14 and three-quarters by age 24. Unfortunately, long delays−sometimes decades−often occur between the time symptoms first appear and when individuals get help. This is often due to the stigma attached to seeking mental health treatment. We also know, early identification and treatment can make a difference in successful management of mental illness and recovery. Therefore, it is important to maintain mental health and learn the symptoms of mental illness in order to get help when it is needed.

Every citizen and community can make a difference in helping end the silence and stigma that for too long has surrounded mental illness and discouraged people from getting help. When Compass Mental Health was approached by Orcas Island High School Senior, Kaya Osborn, with a proposal to put on an event to celebrate Mental Health Awareness Month, we jumped at the opportunity.

The community is invited to attend an open house at the Compass Health Eastsound office located at 1286 Mt. Baker Road Suite B-206 on Friday, May 6, 2016 from 4:30pm-6:30pm. The open house will also feature an art exhibit procured by Ms. Osborn for her senior project, featuring local artists who join with her to “Break the Silence, Break the Stigma.”

We further invite you, the community of Orcas Island, to take the “stigma free pledge” at www.nami.org/stigmafree in observance of Mental Illness Awareness Month.