Despite its prevalence among the collegiate age group, mental illness remains a hushed topic on college campuses, as many are wary to speak out about their condition, afraid of the stigma associated with the illness.

According to a survey by the National Alliance on Mental Illness, adolescents and young adults are particularly vulnerable to mental illness, as 75 percent of all lifetime mental disorders occur by age 24. Consequently, high school and college students fall within the age group most susceptible to serious mental illnesses. The added stress and anxiety that come along with a college workload seem to factor into the rate of mental illness among young people, said Wanda Laird, executive director of the Alabama chapter of NAMI.

“The transition to college is very difficult for many people to cope with, even when that is the only thing they are dealing with at the time,” said Hannah Brewer, a UA junior majoring in psychology and the president of the University’s Psychology Club and honor society Psi Chi.

“It is a time where everything is changing, you’re thrown into an entirely new group of people, you have to start from scratch at making friends and you have to become independent apart from previously existing support systems,” she said. “This can be very hard because many people with mental illness find comfort in stability.”

During the shift between high school and college, it is often hard for new students to open themselves up to accepting new friends, especially when they carry the burden of a mental illness, Laird said.

“It is important to establish help at the college level to eliminate the stigma related to mental illnesses,” Laird said. “Many people get embarrassed, but it is good to have a group to reach out to and be able to express themselves. Our slogan is ‘Help Find Hope,’ and that is what we want to encourage.”

In 2009, the Alabama chapter of NAMI established its NAMI On Campus program at The University of Alabama, subsequently followed by Auburn University, Alabama State University and Troy University-Dothan. The collegiate programs supplement the 18 affiliate programs in various cities throughout the state.

“The national chapter of NAMI decided to create the college programs to reach as many youth as possible for early intervention,” Laird said. “Many college students have problems with depression and suicide attempts. We hope to have an elementary program in the future because right now we only serve ages 18 and older.”

Brewer, who is also a member of NAMI-UA, said she enjoys psychology because of the breakdown of understanding between mental illness and the majority of society.

“For many physical disorders or illnesses, people can easily see the source of and understand any abnormal behavior that might occur as a result,” she said. “Since people cannot easily discern the cause of abnormal behavior that people with a psychological disorder exhibit on first or second glance, many of them discount the suffering of the individual and label them as ‘weird’ or ‘crazy.’”

Brewer said the stigma can be damaging to people with mental illness.

“It can actually prevent people from admitting they have a mental illness and consequently seeking treatment because they don’t want to associate themselves with something that society paints as negative,” she said. “Education on mental illness would foster a more accepting and tolerant environment in which people with mental illness could feel more comfortable being themselves, admitting to and facing their mental illness.”

Brewer said many people have warped views of mental illness partly due to the way media portray it. “Rain Man,” “A Beautiful Mind,” “Black Swan,” “Donnie Darko” and “Forrest Gump” are examples of movies in which she feels the disorders are dramatized. However, many people who have mental disorders are normal, everyday people, she said.

Educating people about the realities of illnesses will help ease the stress of those diagnosed and un-diagnosed, she said.

“Bringing mental illness out of the shadows is helpful,” said Kenneth Lichstein, a UA psychology professor and faculty advisor for NAMI-UA. “The more people are willing to talk about their shortcomings and participate in discourse about it, the more the stigma will gradually fade away.”

If You Go…

What: Out of the Darkness Suicide Prevention Walk, sponsored by the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention

When: Sunday, Oct. 14, 2-4 p.m.

Where: Ferg plaza and Quad