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Health & Fitness

NAMI Fairfield Celebrates Authors to End the Stigma

NAMI Fairfield invites the public to celebrate all participants of its 1st annual Essay Contest about mental illness. The Essay Contest Celebration and Award Ceremony will take place on Wednesday, June 5th, 7:30-9:00 PM at First Church Congregational, 148 Beach Road in Fairfield.   Awards will be presented to the winning authors.

Mental illness affects one in four people in this country, but many are uncomfortable talking about it due to stigma. The shame felt interferes with getting needed support, both for the individual impacted and their family members. 

In response to this problem NAMI Fairfield launched Stigma-Free Connecticut. Starting on the local level, the essay contest opened the dialogue about mental health care and the need for comprehensive and affordable services for all people who need them. NAMI Fairfield plans to encourage people to write about mental illness through its essay contest each year, making this an annual event.

 The essay contest's theme “Through My Eyes” encouraged writers to share their individual feelings and experiences about how mental illness has affected them or touched their life. It offered an opportunity to raise understanding, nurture compassion, inspire change and end the stigma that often surrounds mental illness.

The Honorable Judge Daniel Caruso of Fairfield’s Probate Court will be among our special guests to present awards to the authors. The authors of the winning essays will be given the opportunity to read their stories, speak about their journey and respond to questions.   

More information can be found at www.StigmaFreeCT.com. Questions may be directed to info@stigmafreect.com.   

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