The Steampunk Symposium 2022 Program features several fundraising and awareness raising events for our charity partner NAMI (National Alliance for Mental Illness). For those wishing to learn more about NAMI and the Mental Health support that they offer we invite you to this presentation that seeks to change attitudes, assumptions and stereotypes about people with mental health conditions.
Presented by NAMI.
The presentations combine a video in three parts along with two NAMI trained presenters who talk about their mental health journey. It provides a personal perspective of mental illness, as presenters with lived experience talk openly about what it’s like to live with a mental health condition. Our presenters humanize the misunderstood, highly stigmatized topic of mental illness by showing that it’s possible—and common—to live well and achieve their goals with a mental health condition. This presentation also provides:
- A chance to ask presenters questions, allowing for a deeper understanding of mental health conditions and dispelling of stereotypes and misconceptions.
- The understanding that every person with a mental health condition can hope for a brighter future.
- Information on how to learn more about mental health, resources available and get involved with the mental health community.
- Tips on how to recognize signs in oneself or a friend or colleague and reach out to help or get help.
NAMI’s presenters have also adapted their presentations to share how they have struggled and coped in these last two years through the pandemic. The social distancing, isolation, lack of routine and grief from the loss of loved ones have had a huge impact on the mental health of the community.