The National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) is calling on everyone to learn the symptoms of mental illness conditions such as depression, bipolar disorder and schizophrenia and to “go stigma free.”

One in five adults experience mental illness problems every year; however, 50 percent of chronic mental illness begins by age 14 and three-quarters by age 24. Although many people today understand that mental illness is a medical condition, individuals and families affected by mental illness are still often subjected to stigma and discrimination.

NAMI Southwestern Wisconsin is sponsoring a movie screening of Silver Linings Playbook in observance of Mental Illness Awareness Week on October 10 at 1 p.m. at the Blaine Theatre. A $5 donation is requested.

“This is a time to raise public awareness about mental illness,” said Christopher Finnell, a NAMI organizer and local member of the chapter. “NAMI hopes everyone will also talk about what they learn with family, friends and others. It is also a time to free everyone from stereotypes that too often discourages people from getting help when they need it.”

NAMI Southwestern Wisconsin has a support group that meets on the second and fourth Friday of each month at 7 p.m. at Gundersen Boscobel Hospital where you will need to enter on Parker Street (ER Entrance).