Former Senator and Mrs. Spada Partner with NAMI Ohio to

End Stigma of Mental Illness

Bob and Mary Spada

NAMI Ohio is pleased to announce the establishment of the Bob and Mary Spada Mental Illness Awareness NOW campaign.  The campaign is designed to increase understanding about mental illness among Ohioans by building on NAMI Ohio’s advocacy, education and support activities at the grassroots level.  The campaign involves deploying a cadre of individuals with mental illness to make presentations to civic organizations throughout Ohio.  The presentations will focus on:

• providing information about the realities of and myths surrounding mental illness;

• increasing the visibility of successful recoveries;

• spreading the word about NAMI as a resource for education, support and advocacy; and

• mobilizing communities to get involved.

“It is difficult enough to watch a loved one struggle with the pain of mental illness.  That pain is compounded when you witness the reaction by friends, employers and the community at large who don’t understand the illness.  Our hope is that through the Mental Illness Awareness NOW campaign, Ohioans will come to view mental illness as no different from any other chronic illness such as diabetes or heart disease,” said Senator Spada.

Bob and Mary Spada became active in mental health advocacy after their son, James, was diagnosed with bipolar disorder.  At that time, Mr. Spada was serving in the Ohio Senate and made the decision, with his son’s approval, to be a spokesman on behalf of mental health insurance parity.  Because of Senator Spada’s leadership, and that of his colleague the House of Representatives Jon Peterson, S.B. 116, the Mental Health Insurance Parity Act was passed in 2006.  

“Because of the stigma surrounding mental illness, thousands of Ohioans refuse to seek help when they experience the symptoms of a mental health disorder.  This can lead to tragic outcomes, including suicide,” said Jim Mauro, NAMI Ohio Executive Director.  “Stigma is also largely responsible for our inability to secure appropriate funding at the state and local level to treat mental illness.  We hope that this campaign will help call attention to the lack of access to mental health services in communities throughout Ohio.”

“NAMI Ohio is grateful for the generosity of Senator and Mrs. Spada in providing a challenge grant which will help get this campaign off the ground.  Anyone interested in donating to the Bob and Mary Spada Mental Illness Awareness NOW campaign can press the DONATE button at the top of the screen and indicate that you would like your contribution to go directly toward this campaign.  One hundred percent of all funds donated will go directly toward this initiative. 

NAMI Ohio is the statewide association that serves as the voice on mental illness.  The  organization is comprised of thousands of family members, individuals diagnosed with mental illness, advocates and professionals working together to ensure that Ohioans with mental illness receive the treatment, medication and support they need to lead full and productive lives.  Serious mental illness includes such illnesses as schizophrenia, bipolar disorder and major depression.

 

NAMI Ohio State Affiliate of the National Alliance on Mental Illness 747 East Broad Street Columbus, Ohio 43205 Tel:  614-224-2700 FAX: 614-224-5400 1-800-686-AMIO 614-224-1498 (TTY) 866-924-1478 (toll free TTY) amiohio@amiohio.org Jim Mauro, Ex.Dir.