Students participate in Scream-In

Loud, passionate and liberating screams of students echoed through campus yesterday, as gatherers broke the silence and stigma of mental illness in the University’s first ever Scream-In.

About 30 students used their lung power to support mental illness awareness. The event was intended to show support for all types of mental illness — including depression, anorexia, manic depression and schizophrenia — that inflict individuals in the University and Ann Arbor communities.

“Mental illness isn’t just an issue that’s out there. It crosses all types of boundaries,” said RC senior Natasha Verhage, who helped to coordinate Scream-In.

DANIEL CASTLE/Daily LSA seniors Dean Costales and Rachel Schutt scream in the Diag for mental illness awareness. About 30 students took part in the Scream-In yesterday.

“Things like this are important because mental health is such a taboo issue in the U.S. We want to show that we’re all normal, functioning students. This is a way to unify the student body,” said RC senior Josh Laton.

Statistics show that one out of every four Americans will suffer a mental disorder during their lifetime, according to Mental Health Net.

“It’s something that you’re not allowed to admit that you have. Everyone is affected by it. Everyone knows someone who is affected by it. We want to let people know that it’s out there,” said RC senior Summer Berman.

“Mental illness never gets addressed. It’s a pretty invisible plague. We wanted to put a personal face on it,” Verhage said.

Scream-In, organized by Mentality, a mental health and illness awareness group on campus, and Project Serve’s Issues Team, kicked off National Mental Illness Awareness Week, which lasts from Oct. 5-12.

“Mental illness is a medical and biological illness. We’d like to make that distinction. A lot of people don’t know what to do or how to handle their illness,” Verhage said.

After the screaming had subsided, a student read a statement to support mental illness awareness and understanding.

“Pain in life is not inevitable. Pain is not your fault. Pain is not their fault. It is time to break the silence,” the student read.

Laton said this type of expression of support and understanding can be beneficial to students, like himself, who have suffered from mental illnesses.

“They seem like given statements, but it gives you hope. If we had heard this, it would have helped so much. It shows you that other people have been through it,” Laton said.

Students gathered to challenge issues, stigmas and myths surrounding mental illness.

“I came here today because I believe in breaking the silence. Mental illness needs to stop being ignored,” said LSA sophomore Katy Weiks.

The Scream-In did not run according to schedule yesterday. Original plans included a banner, an information table and audio setup.

The schedule also called for students to give presentations and speeches on their own personal experiences, followed by a Q&A period. Coordinators of the event said they were unsure why things did not run as planned.

“Our banner didn’t get put up, we didn’t get our tables, and the power didn’t come. We’re all really disappointed,” Laton said.

Although the coordinators expressed disappointment, they were optimistic about the impact of the event.

“If one person stopped and thought about it, then we were successful,” Verhage said.

There will be an information table set up on the Diag on Friday, with information and statistics about mental illness and resources for students. Students interested in receiving more information can contact Mentality at mentality@umich.edu.

Mentality also publishes a comprehensive list of mental health resources available for students and Michigan residents.

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