On the front lawn of the Historic County Courthouse in Provo, 5,465 miniature blue and yellow flags reminded the public Sunday night that it's National Mental Health Awareness Week.

Each flag represented someone in Utah County who received treatment from Wasatch Mental Health in the past year.

Thousands more suffering from debilitating mental illnesses were honored by a small procession of candle bearers -- volunteers, family members and mental illness survivors affiliated with the Utah County chapter of the National Alliance for the Mentally Ill, or NAMI Utah. They assembled Sunday night at Pioneer Park and walked to the courthouse in a candlelight vigil to honor survivors and to shed greater light on a disability and support that is available for those affected by mental illness.

Nedra Bell, president of NAMI's Utah County chapter, said mental illness impacts many who aren't aware they have it and who don't know where to get help.

"It is possible to lead a happy life with diagnosis and treatment," she told the group of 42 adults and children gathered in an oval near the courthouse front steps.

Brittney Harper, the reigning Miss Utah County and Miss Orem in 2005, helped lead Sunday's candlelight vigil and briefly spoke about her personal connection to mental illness.

"My first experience with mental illness was when I was 12 years old and struggled with an eating disorder," she said of her several-year battle with anorexia and bulimia.

Harper, a Brigham Young University student studying social work, said she overcame her mental illness and wants to help others "break the stigmas" and public misperceptions about those who suffer from mental disorders.

She said she recently attended a conference in Park City where she learned about the road to recovery many take, thanks to others providing a light of hope.

"Think about letting your light shine to help others," Harper told those attending the vigil.

Wayne Parker, Provo's chief administrative officer, appeared at the vigil on behalf of Provo Mayor Lewis Billings and declared Oct. 1 the beginning of Mental Health Awareness Week in the city.

Sunday's candlelight vigil kicks off a week of activities in Utah County, including a free depression screening today at the Wal-Mart in Orem from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. The screenings are sponsored by NAMI and Wasatch Mental Health.

NAMI sponsors free training for those with mental illness and for their families with monthly support meetings the second and fourth Tuesday of every month at the Utah State Hospital administration building. For more information on help available for mental illness, contact the Utah County chapter of NAMI Utah at 225-3855 or visit www.namiut.org.

This story appeared in The Daily Herald on page D5.