Campaign for Mental Health Recovery

“What a Difference a Friend Makes”

One of the most important things to remember about mental illness is this: people can and do recover. If you have a friend with mental illness, or if you have a mental illness yourself, remember that recovery is possible. Reach out to those around you with compassion, empathy, and understanding.

Here are more things to keep in mind: mental illness can affect anybody regardless of race, ethnicity, gender, age, or background. You probably know somebody with mental illness. And mental illnesses are not caused by poor decisions or bad habits. They affect a person’s physical, mental, and emotional wellbeing, much like heart disease or diabetes.

The stigma associated with mental illness is a big barrier to recovery. If we want to be a truly healthy society, we need to break down the stigma and treat mental illness like any other healthcare condition. It starts with you.

People with mental illness can recover or manage their conditions and go on to lead happy, healthy, productive lives. They contribute to society and make the world a better place. People can often benefit from medication, rehabilitation, psychotherapy, group therapy, self-help or a combination of these. One of the most important factors in recovery is the understanding and acceptance of friends.

To learn more about recovery and how you can help yourself or help others please visit the “What a Difference a Friend Makes” website at www.whatadifference.samhsa.gov.

To order copies of the brochure “What a Difference a Friend Makes” please contact the Florida Peer Network at info@floridapeernetwork.org. It is also available in Spanish, “Un Amigo Marca Una Gran Differencia”.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

To view the PDF files on the site, you need Adobe Acrobat Reader.

Florida Peer Network, Inc., 13301 Bruce B. Downs Blvd., MHC 2505, Tampa, Florida 33612
Phone: 877-FLA PEER (877-352-7337) or 813-974-2851
Fax: 813-974-6411
Email: info@floridapeernetwork.org

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