David Follette, professor emeritus of surgery in the School of Medicine, says mental illness is especially deserving of an “awareness day.” For one reason, he said, people need to know that mental illness is a physiological condition, just like hypertension or diabetes.

For another, mental illness can be just as disabling.

So, he was eager to organize a panel discussion for this year’s Disability Awareness Day on the Davis campus. The panel, free and open to public, is scheduled to begin at noon Oct. 22 in the King Room in the Memorial Union.

The panelists, all from UC Davis:

Cameron Carter, professor, Department of Psychiatry, speaking about the physiological basis for neurotransmitter disorders.

Andreea Seritan, director, Student Wellness, School of Medicine, speaking about clinical recognition of acute anxiety, depression and attention deficit disorder, for both the patient and their friends.

Wendi Delmendo, director, compliance with the Americans With Disabilities Act, speaking about consideration for people affected by mental health disorders, and available resources.

In addition, Follette said, he will talk briefly about depression, “about my own personal walk with the disease ... with a description of what it really feels like.”