Mental illnesses affect 19% of the adult population, 46% of teenagers
and 13% of children each year. People struggling with their mental health may be in your
family, live next door, teach your children, work
in the next cubicle or sit in the same church pew.
However, only half of those affected
receive treatment, often because of the stigma attached
to mental health. Untreated, mental illness can contribute to higher
medical expenses, poorer performance at school and work, fewer employment
opportunities and increased risk of suicide.
What exactly is a Mental Illness
A mental illness is a physical illness of the brain that causes
disturbances in thinking, behavior, energy or emotion that make it
difficult to cope with the ordinary demands of life. Research
is starting to uncover the complicated causes of these diseases which can
include genetics, brain chemistry, brain structure, experiencing
trauma and/or having another medical condition, like heart disease.
The two most common mental health conditions are:
Anxiety Disorders
More than 19% of adults each year struggle with some type of anxiety disorder,
including: post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD),
panic disorder (panic attacks), generalized anxiety disorder and specific phobias
Mood Disorders
nearly 10% of adults each year and are characterized by difficulties in regulating one’s
mood.
studies show that stigma against mental illness is still powerful, largely due to
media stereotypes and lack of education, and that people tend to attach negative stigmas
to mental health conditions at a far higher rate than to other diseases and disabilities,
such as cancer, diabetes or heart disease. Stigma affects not only the number seeking
treatment, but also the number of resources available for proper treatment. Stigma and
misinformation can feel like overwhelming obstacles for someone who is struggling
with a mental health condition. Here a few powerful things you can do to help:
*Showing* individuals respect and acceptance removes a significant barrier to successfully
coping with their illness. Having people see you as an individual and not as your illness
can make the biggest difference for someone who is struggling with their mental health.
*Advocating* within our circles of influence helps ensure these individuals have the
same rights and opportunities as other members of your church, school and community.
*Learning* more about mental health allows us to provide helpful support to those
affected in our families and communities.