This week, more attention is being paid to the struggles of people living with mental-health conditions. In Iowa, parents are telling their stories in hopes of inspiring other families to speak out. Between now and Saturday, groups around the country are observing Mental Illness Awareness Week. Mary Neubauer of Clive has become an advocate in recent years, after her son took his own life in 2017. For the general public, Neubauer says there are still opportunities to overcome any lingering stigma about mental health issues.

The awareness week comes on the heels of an annual fundraising event for the Iowa chapter of the National Alliance on Mental Illness. This year’s “NAMI-Walks Your Way Iowa” saw roughly 500 people in attendance, with more than 140-thousand dollars raised. Organizers say a key element is getting more stories out into the public, so other families struggling with a diagnosis don’t feel isolated.