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.
Mental illnesses come on a spectrum—there are many different types of illnesses, some come in episodes, some are chronic, and the signs and symptoms of mental illness can vary by the individual. Many people experience signs and symptoms of a mental illness for a short time—for example, everyone has experienced a sleepless night, or a moment of panic or overwhelming fear. What makes these signs and symptoms indicators of a mental illness are when they occur together, for a longer period of time, and are interfering with that person’s daily life and ability to function.
For an individual to be officially diagnosed with a mental illness, they need to visit a mental health professional—a psychiatrist, psychologist, social worker, or counselor. Even if you are receiving psychiatric medications from your general practitioner, we recommend that you visit a mental health professional to ensure that your medications and treatment options are being monitored in the most complete way possible.
Please click on the link to the right to see a page of fact sheets on various mental illnesses. These fact sheets can help you learn more about the signs, symptoms, and treatment options about these illnesses. If you have any additional questions, please call the NAMI of Greater Chicago office at (312) 563-0445.