Letter: Mental illness awareness promoted

The most shocking thing about mental illnesses are how little people know about them. Mental illnesses are more common than cancer, diabetes and heart disease. One of five families will be directly affected by a severe mental illness in their lifetime.

Nationally, more than 5 million Americans suffer from an acute episode of mental illness such as schizophrenia, manic depressive illness, major depression, obsessive compulsive disorder or panic disorder each year. Left untreated, mental disorders can have profound and devastating effects on the lives of patients and their families.

In recent years, there have been major scientific advances. Researchers have been able to identify several factors such as brain chemistry, structure and functioning, as well as genes. Mental illness can now be effectively diagnosed and treated. Therapeutic modalities and new breakthrough medications are available to effectively treat symptoms.

Yet, stigma and discrimination continue to single out people with mental illness and prevent them from achieving their full potential in life. Everyone in Nevada must understand the facts about causes and treatment of severe mental illness. Only then will the stigma and discrimination be eliminated.

Rena M. Nora, M.D. Southern Nevada president, Nevada Association of Psychiatric Physicians

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