Angela Tharp

A special program tonight at Van Diest Medical Center will offer the public an opportunity to learn more about mental illness and mental illness conditions.

NAMI: In Our Own Voice will be presented Thursday, Jan. 16 at 5:30 p.m. in the VDMC clinic board room.

The presentation will feature Angela Tharp, Executive Director for the National Alliance on Mental Illness Central Iowa. The presentation will provide participants with an opportunity to hear open and honest perspectives on a highly misunderstood topic. Participants will also have a chance to ask questions, allowing for a deeper understanding of mental health conditions while dispelling stereotypes and misconceptions.

“With NAMI, our three main pillars are Support, Educate and Advocate,” Tharp said. “This presentation is one of our signature programs.”

Tharp said the In Our Own Voice program features two individuals who have mental illnesses who are willing to advocate and be the voice of what it’s like to learn about a diagnosis and what challenges they may face.

“We need to continue to show that being diagnosed with a mental illness is no different than being diagnosed with any other type of disease,” she said. “We are so far behind because there is still so much stigma out there.”

She said that the media and movies often portray those with mental illnesses as deranged or very violent.

“The media has done nothing to help us overcome those images. It’s just created more stigma,” Tharp said.

“Bringing this In Our Own Voice presentation to the community will show that mental illness affects every day people,” she said.

She added that current statistics show that about one in five people have a mental illness.

“I think talking about it more , if we have adults talking about it, they can work with children to break the stigma. Then young people can feel comfortable coming forward to seek help,” she said.

“And the longer we wait for treatment, the more difficult it is to overcome learned behaviors or coping skills,” she added. “If we keep talking about it, it gives individuals that window of opportunity to know where to go for help and that it’s ok to ask for help.”

Tharp and her husband, Todd lost their 17-year-old son to suicide from complications of mental illness. The couple found the NAMI Family-to-Family educational class which helped them find support to understand, and navigate their emotional struggles. Tharp said they found help and hope.

They couple wanted to advocate for those who also needed help. They became cerfified leaders to present the NAMI Ending the Silence program to youth across the state of Iowa. Angela Tharp became the NAMI Central Iowa Executive Director in July 2019, providing educaiton, support and advocacy to an 11-county mental health region in Central Iowa.

Tharp said that even with a shortage of mental health professionals and centers, resources have improved since she and her husband were seeking help back in 2013.

“There’s still just not enough. Not enough funding, resources and individuals who are pursuing mental health careers,” she said.