Fox 2 and the Entertainment Industries Council have teamed up to solve a problem; get rid of the stigma and misunderstandings related to mental health issues.

The goal is simple:

Create greater awareness through the sharing and providing of knowledge.

Deliver the message that there is hope in the form of diagnosis and treatment.

How do you do that?

Dozens of professional mental health care leaders from local hospitals, universities, community outreach programs and more came to the Fox 2 studios in Southfield. They met, discussed and ultimately determined the best way to use the power of the media. They searched for the answer to this question: What can be done right now to help change the negative perception of mental health issues?

Watch highlights from the event to the right. The experts share their thoughts and talk to FOX 2 about ways to increase awareness of mental health issues.

Meanwhile, bookmark this page as a great resource for mental health issues, local resources, help lines, video stories, mental health news and more.

Statiscal Facts: Did you know?

FACT: 20 percent of the ailments for which Americans seek a doctor's care are related to anxiety disorders such as panic attacks, that interfere with their ability to live normalb lives.

FACT: Some 8 million to 14 million Americans suffer from depression each year. As many as one in five Americans will suffer at least one episode of major depression during their lifetimes.

FACT: About 12 million children under 18 suffer from mental disorders such as autism, depression, and hyperactivity.

FACT: Two million Americans suffer from schizophrenic disorders and 300,000 new cases occur each year.

FACT: 15.4 million American adults and 4.6 million adolescents experience serious alcohol-related problems, and another 12.5 million suffer from drug abuse or dependence.

FACT: Nearly one-fourth of the elderly who are labeled as senile actually suffer some form of mental illness that can be effectively treated.

FACT: Suicide is the third leading cause of death for people between the ages of 15 and 24.

FACT: Studies by the U.S. Alcohol, Drug Abuse and Mental Health Administration indicate:

-- men are more likely to suffer from drug and alcohol abuse and personality disorders
--women are at higher risk of suffering from depression and anxiety disorders

Source:University of Maryland Medical Center

Myths vs. Realities: Eliminate the ‘Stigma

Myth: People with mental illnesses are violent and unpredictable.
Fact: In reality, the vast majority of people who have mental health needs are no more violent than anyone else. You probably know someone with a mental illness and don’t even realize it.

Myth: Mental illnesses cannot affect me.
Fact: Mental illnesses are surprisingly common; they affect almost every family in America. Mental illnesses do not discriminate-they can affect anyone.

Get informed, read a complete list of common myths and facts about mental health, click here

Ask for Help, it's OK

Michigan Suicide Hotlines
*ANN ARBOR: Serving Washtenaw County

Crisis Hotline For Teens in Crisis and Their Families (734) 662-2222
Psychiatric Emergency ServicesUniversity of Michigan Health System24 hours / 7 days(734) 936-5900
Ozone House:Youth Family Services
http://ozonehouse.org/services-crisis_line.shtml

Bloomfield Hills

Common Ground Sanctuary
1410 S. TelegraphBloomfield Hills, MI 48302
Group Name: Survivors of Suicide
Contact Person: Shawn Force
Phone: (248) 456-8137 ext. 174
Crisis Line: 800-231-1127

Chesterfield Township

Macomb County Crisis Center
46360 Gratiot Avenue
Chesterfield Township, MI 48051
Group Name: Survivors of Suicide
Contact Person: Jean Larch(586) 307-9100

Dearborn

Hope Lutheran Church
3640 MadisonDearborn, MI 48124
Group Name: Grief After Suicide Contact
Person: Elaine Lamparski(313) 561-1500
info@howe-peterson.com
DetroitWayne County Crisis Line (313) 224-7000

Flint

Catholic Social Services
901 Chippewa StreetFlint, MI 48503
Group Name: SOS Support Group
Contact Person: Laurie Powell(810) 232-9950

Grand Rapids

West Michigan Survivors of Suicide
2548 Newberry Lane SEGrand Rapids, MI 49508
Group Name: Grand Rapids
Contact Person: Ethel Bucek(616) 971-1000
ebbucek@aol.comwww.angelfire.com/mi2/westmisos

Howell

Surviving After Suicide
Livingston Community Hospice
620 Byron Rd., Community Room
Howell, MI 48843
Group Name: Surviving After Suicide
Contact Person: Patrice Starkweather, MSW (517) 540-9037Amy Burton, MSW(517) 552-7152

Saginaw

Saginaw Survivors of SuicideChild and Family Services
2806 Davenport
Saginaw, MI 48602
Group Name: Surviors of Suicide
Contact Person: Barb Smith(989) 781-5260

Waterford

Suicide Survivors Support Group
Central United Methodist Church
3882 Highland RoadWaterford, MI 48328
Group Name: Suicide Survivors Support Group
Contact Person: Kathy Garwood(248) 673-1213

NATIONAL SUICIDE PREVENTION LIFELINE
http://www.suicidepreventionlifeline.org
1-800-273-TALK (8255)