Did you know that May is Mental Health Awareness Month? Each year, this brings attention to the issue of mental illness that affects millions of people across the country. It gives local communities the chance to organize events and activities that can bring a discussion about mental health into public view.
Mental Health Awareness Month began back in 1949 when Mental Health America (then known as the National Association for Mental Health) first coordinated an observance in May to raise awareness and help to eliminate the stigma that had been attached to mental illness. Fortunately, it has been observed every year since then, and remains as a time where people who suffer from mental illness can be reminded of the support available to them and feel a little less alone.
Common Mental Illnesses Include
- Mood disorders such as depression, bipolar disorder, etc.
- Psychotic disorders such as schizophrenia, schizoaffective disorder, etc.
- Anxiety disorders such as generalized anxiety disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder, phobias, etc. Anxiety disorders are the most common form of mental illness affecting an estimated 48 million people in the U.S per year.
Mental Illness Symptoms
Symptoms of mental illness can vary depending on the type of illness, and the severity. However, there are some common symptoms that are associated with many types of mental illness, including:
- Insomnia
- Irritability
- Loss of appetite
- Social withdrawal
- Inability to concentrate
- Excessive fear and worry
- Self-harm
Sometimes the symptoms of mental illness can be confused with other ailments such as stress, fatigue, or hormones.
Mental Health Awareness Statistics
Recent estimates from Johns Hopkins show that one in four adults in the US experience mental illness each year, and research from NAMI shows that one in twenty live with a serious mental illness such as schizophrenia or bipolar disorder. Also, nearly 8 million children and adolescents in the US suffer from serious mental illness, and there are estimates that half of all chronic mental illness begins by age 14, and 75% by age 24.
How Mental Health Awareness Helps
- Bring Awareness to Mental Health Symptoms
- Breaks the Mental Health Stigma
- Increases Mental Health Funding
- Improves Access to Care
Mental illness is a term used to describe mental health conditions that impact mood, thinking, and behavior. These disorders can interfere with someone’s ability to relate to others and to function regularly.
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