The Michigan Department of Health is launching a statewide initiative to reduce the stigma of mental health on college campuses.
Experts say nationally at least one in five young adults will experience some form of a mental illness.
Angela Minicuci is the spokeswoman for the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services. She said public health experts are working to end the stigma of mental illness.
“A lot of what we hear for people who are struggling with mental illness, is that they are afraid to tell their friends or their family members because they are fearful that they’ll be judged.”
Minicuci said as part of the effort to reduce stigma a special broadcast called “Opening Minds, Ending Stigma: Campus Challenges” will air this this month highlighting college students impacted by mental health.
“When we are going away to college, and you’re considering the changes and stress it could have on a young person. Those types of mental illness problems could lead to a much bigger and more severe and sometimes fatal problem later on.”
She said there are signs people can look for indicating a loved one might be depressed, from isolation, sleeping more, and no longer keeping up their appearance.
For more information visit endingstigma.org