Mental Health Facts & Figures
- 1 in 5 U.S. adults experience mental illness each year.
- 1 in 20 U.S. adults experience serious mental illness each year.
- 1 in 6 U.S. youth aged 6-17 experience a mental health disorder each year.
- 50% of all lifetime mental illness begins by age 14, and 75% by age 24.
- Suicide is the second leading cause of death among people aged 10-34.
Make your Mental Health a Priority
While May is designated as Mental Health Awareness Month, we must endeavor to support our mental health care all year long. As we continue to persevere, especially amidst this pandemic, let’s find joy in making our mental health a priority. Create a self-care plan that is doable, realistic and brings you a sense of satisfaction, joy. Check out these self-care recommendations from my blog:
https://www.judithrobertstherapy.com/blog/229275-how-to-cope-during-these-difficult-times_2
Know the Difference between Mental Health and Mental Illness
Mental Health:
•includes our emotional, psychological, and social well-being.
•affects how we think, feel, and act.
•helps determine how we handle stress, relate to others, and make healthy choices.
Involves effective functioning in daily activities resulting in:
•productive activities (work, school, caregiving).
•healthy relationships.
•ability to adapt to change and cope with adversity.
*important component of overall health.
Mental Illness:
•refers collectively to all diagnosable mental disorders.
•significant changes that affect one’s mood, thinking and behavior.
•distress and/or problems functioning in social, work or family activities.
•each person will have different experiences, even people with the same diagnosis.
If you find it too difficult to cope, and your level of functioning has diminished, do know you are not alone, know there is help, reach out to a mental health professional.
Resources that are available 24/7 if you need to talk to someone:
- Disaster Distress Hotline 800-985-5990
- National Lifeline 800-273-TALK (8255)
- Suicide Prevention Lifeline 888-628-9454
- National Domestic Violence Hotline 800-799-SAFE (7233)
More resources as provided through NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Illness):
https://www.nami.org/Support-Education/NAMI-HelpLine/Top-HelpLine-Resources