JAKE LACEY/Arizona Daily Wildcat Jenny Min and Scott Harrington, both college graduates with a mental illness, share their life experiences with the audience in a discussion sponsored by the National Alliance for the Mentally Ill at the UA in the Kiva Room of the Student Union Memorial Center yesterday.

Although students may not realize it, every time they walk across campus they pass by many people who are seriously mentally ill.

The National Alliance for the Mentally Ill in conjunction with the National Alliance for the Mentally Ill of Southern Arizona offered a free presentation last night to shatter stereotypes and increase awareness about the true nature of brain.

The presentation, "In Our Own Voice: Living With Mental Illness," featured a video, personal testimonies and discussions about accepting and overcoming mental illness, because more than 5 percent of American adults suffer from a mental disorder.

Jenny Min and Scott Harrington of the National Alliance for the Mentally Ill in Southern Arizona shared their personal stories of having a mental illness, their daily struggles and personal victories.

Min, a bilingual advocate at NAMISA, emphasized how treatment and recovery were possibilities for everyone, no matter how hopeless they feel.

However, mental illnesses often have biological basis and people experiencing mental illness should seek medical treatment, Min said, rather than just talking to friends and family about their problem.

David Trautman, a Latin American studies and anthropology sophomore and NAMI member, said he felt participating in the event was one part of increasing awareness and reducing stigmas about mental illness.

"Mental illness can cover a wide variety of things, and they're very internal things so people don't know that their friends or people they care about could be in a lot of pain," Trautman said. "(Being educated) makes it less taboo to be different."

Dana Crudo, president and founder of NAMI at the UA, said she formed the group because she did not see a place for students to comfortably talk about mental health issues on campus.

"I decided to start the group because I saw a need for students to support other students. I felt there wasn't really a group to talk about mental illness with," said Crudo, a journalism and creative writing junior.

Crudo also advised that people who know someone with a mental illness be understanding, caring and compassionate.

"Make sure they know they can come to you, be open to discussing (the illness,) don't judge them and keep an open mind," Crudo said.

Min said if there were one thing she would want to tell UA community members with a mental illness, it would be words of encouragement.

"It's common, it's treatable, and you're not alone," Min said.