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SALT LAKE CITY — While it's common for friends and family to bring a casserole to a sick loved one, people tend to stay away when a person is diagnosed with a mental illness.

The stigma surrounding mental illnesses can be isolating, as many are too embarrassed to seek treatment or ask for help. By 2020, mental and substance use disorders will surpass all physical diseases as the major cause of disability worldwide.

The president of the National Alliance on Mental Illness's Salt Lake affiliate (NAMI) has battled those stigmas as a patient himself and is now working hard to help others. His own experience has driven him and NAMI volunteers to host a picnic to encourage a casserole-sharing culture when it comes to supporting friends and family with mental illness. The picnic will be from 5 p.m. - 7 p.m. at Murray Park, 296 E. Murray Park Ave. (about 5100 South).

"Initially, going through life with this illness, I couldn't even talk about it with anyone but my wife," said Peter Cornish, president, NAMI Salt Lake Affiliate.

Picnic details What: "Picnic in the Park" Salt Lake City's NAMI affiliate wants to encourage the community to approach mental illness as "casserole illness" with a "Picnic in the Park"

Where: 296 E. Murray Park Ave. Murray City, UT

When: Friday, May 31 from 5-7 p.m.

Bring your own casserole. There will be music, prizes, speakers and more. For more information, visit www.namiut.org

Cornish has been battling chronic major depression for more than two decades. Four years ago, his illness became so debilitating that he was running out of options.

"It's very hard to concentrate," he said. "There is so much anxiety."

Cornish's medications stopped working and he had to quit his job as a successful IT professional. He turned to an old and misunderstood treatment as a last resort.

"The thought of getting your brain shocked … it was brought up to me at least 10 years previous and I said, ‘No. I'm not going to do that,' " Cornish said.

This time around, Cornish decided to give it a try. The results of the electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) were dramatic. After the first treatment, Cornish felt like the fog of depression had lifted.

"When you come out of it, it is just so wonderful to see the colors again and to feel joy," he said.

While the ECT treatment significantly reduced the symptoms of depression, Cornish credits his volunteer work with NAMI for helping him maintain recovery.

"I do view NAMI like it is extended family," he said. "It is very powerful to be able to share the story and know it is part of my recovery and my purpose now."

Cornish's story, and many like it, is what NAMI volunteers want more people to understand and appreciate. Their message is, don't stay away: reach out, stop by and bring a casserole.

"It's the support," Cornish said. "We deserve to have casseroles, and that is what we are doing the picnic and we are all getting together."

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