NAMI-GC College Outreach Program
Questions about NCCOP? Want to help? Contact nccop@namigc.org.
For more information, referrals, support, and education about serious mental illness, call NAMI of Greater Chicago at (312) 563-0445, or visit the NAMI of Greater Chicago website, namigc.org.
Below are some questions that we have been frequently asked at NAMI of Greater Chicago. To see the answer to each question, please click on the question.
What is "mental illness?" Can it be cured?
How can I tell if I or someone I know has a mental illness?
How do I know that the “illness” isn’t just my/my child’s/my friend’s personality?
Can’t people just decide to get better? Is this illness my fault?
If I or someone I know is experiencing symptoms of mental illness, is it “just a phase?”
Are people who have mental illness dangerous?
I have been diagnosed with a mental illness…now what?
My child has been diagnosed with a mental illness…now what?
My friend has been diagnosed with a mental illness…now what?
What do I do if my child or friend is resisting treatment, or refuses to get help?