What are some quick facts about mental health?

Introduction:

Mental health has been a hot topic lately, with many celebrities proclaiming their mental illness and a variety of causes attempting to underline their personal struggles. Brad Pitt made his battle with depression public knowledge through interviews with various publications and actors, including Matt Damon and Hugh Jackman. Yet, this discourse pales in comparison to the millions who suffer from depression every year.

 The following facts are quick facts about mental health provided by the American Psychological Association (APA). Everyone is different, so it's important to try and understand why someone has a mental health problem. There are some things you should know about mental health. For example, surveys show that almost half of all Americans will experience a mental health problem at some point in their lives.

Mental health is a major concern of the world today. There's no denying that mental health takes the back seat in comparison to physical fitness.

Mental illness is common

Mental illness is not just a problem for those who have it. It has a huge impact on families, friends, workmates, and communities.

In most cases, mental illness is caused by biological factors in our brains. The exact cause of mental health problems can vary from person to person, but in most cases, there are no obvious physical signs that would suggest a mental health issue.

The most common symptoms of mental illness are:

feeling sad or down for no apparent reason

feeling anxious, tense, or angry for no apparent reason

being unable to sleep or sleeping too much

losing interest in things you used to enjoy doing

finding it difficult to concentrate or remember things

having frequent thoughts about suicide or self-harm.

Mental illness is common. In fact, it is the most common cause of disability worldwide and a leading cause of disability among young people.

Mental illness costs society billions of dollars every year, in both direct and indirect costs.

Mental illness can affect anyone at any stage in life, including children and teenagers.

The majority of people with a mental health condition can lead full lives; the stigma attached to mental illness should not be ignored or overlooked. Mental illness is common. According to the National Institute of Mental Health, nearly 6 in 10 adults will experience mental illness in their lifetime.

Mental health problems are not always visible. They can come and go without warning. Other times, they may be more difficult to detect because they seem like a normal part of life for someone with mental illness.

Mental illness can affect anyone, at any age or stage of life. It can affect people who have never been diagnosed with a mental health condition as well as those who have had them for many years.

Mental illness is treatable

Mental illness is treatable.

Mental health issues are not your fault.

Mental health problems can be prevented and treated.

There is help available to you.

Mental illness is treatable. Treatment works, and it can change your life.

Mental health conditions are common and can include depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, anorexia nervosa, schizophrenia, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and more.

Treatment for these conditions will depend on the severity of the symptoms and what's causing them. Some treatments may involve medicine or talk therapy; others may involve both.

If you're experiencing a mental health problem, talk to your doctor about treatment options that might work for you.

Mental illness is treatable.

Mental health problems can be treated, managed, and even cured. Mental illness is a medical condition that affects the way a person thinks, feels, and behaves. It’s often a result of genetics or environmental factors; however, it can also be triggered by trauma or stress.

Mental illness is complex and not just one problem. There are many different types of mental disorders with different symptoms, causes, treatments, and recovery times. Some disorders are more serious than others, while some have no physical symptoms at all.

Mental disorders affect millions of people in the U.S., including children and adults of all ages. They range from mild to severe, with symptoms including:

Anxiety: Fearful thoughts, rapid heart rate, or shortness of breath

Depression: Feeling sad or hopeless for weeks or months at a time

Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD): Repeating behaviors that are not helpful to you or others (such as washing hands repeatedly)

Panic attacks: Intense fears accompanied by physical signs like a racing heart or sweating.

Mental illness can affect anyone

Mental illness is a general term used to describe a group of conditions that can affect your emotions, behavior, thinking, and ability to relate to others. It may be caused by biological factors or by psychological problems.

Mental illness can affect anyone in any culture at any time. It does not discriminate based on race, gender, age, or socioeconomic status. Mental health problems are common and can affect anyone at some point in their lives. Some people have mental health problems for the first time in their lives while others develop them as they get older.

Mental health problems can occur at any age and across all cultures. They are caused by a range of factors including genetics, environmental influences, and social factors.

Mental illness is not unique to one particular culture or country but affects people worldwide every day in various ways.

Mental illness can affect anyone. It's not just something that happens to other people, it is a disease that affects the mind and emotions, and can be triggered by stress, trauma, or even genetics. The most common mental health disorder in America is depression, which affects more than 18 million adults each year.

Mental illness can also be identified by its symptoms, such as mood swings and feelings of sadness or hopelessness. It's important to know that these feelings are not your fault — they're a result of an underlying issue with your brain chemistry.

Mental illness is a real problem, and it can affect anyone. It doesn't discriminate between rich or poor, educated or uneducated, young or old.

Mental illness can affect anyone. No one is immune to mental illness - not even those who seem to have it all together. Even the most confident and successful people can suffer from mental illness.

Mental illness is more common than many people think. About 1 in 5 adults in the U.S., or 44 million adults, will experience a mental disorder at some point in their lives (National Institute of Mental Health).

Mental illness can be treated successfully with treatment, support, and other resources. You don't have to live with your condition or symptoms alone; you can find help with treatments that are right for you.

Fact One

Fact One: Mental health is a construct that encompasses emotional, behavioral, and social well-being.

Fact Two: Mental health is defined by the World Health Organization as "a state of mental, emotional, and social well-being in which every individual realizes his or her own potential, can cope with the normal stresses of life, can work productively and fruitfully, and is able to make a contribution to her or his community."

Fact Three: Mental health disorders are neurobiological conditions that affect the brain's ability to regulate emotions, thinking, and behavior (American Psychiatric Association).

Fact Four: There are many different types of mental illnesses including post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), depression, anxiety disorders, bipolar disorder, and schizophrenia.

Fact Five: The most common symptom of mental illness involves mood changes such as sadness/depression or anxiety/fearfulness/frustration.

Fact One: The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that 1 in 10 people worldwide will experience a mental health condition at some point in their lives.

Fact Two: Mental health conditions are common, affecting people of all ages and backgrounds.

Fact Three: Mental health problems are often invisible, which can make them difficult to recognize and treat.

1. The average person has a mental illness at some point in their life.

2. At least 1 in 5 adults will experience a mental illness in the course of their lifetime (1).

3. About 6% of adult Americans (about 40 million adults) meet the criteria for a serious mental disorder in any given year, and 3-4% of them receive treatment (2).

4. Mental illnesses are among the most costly medical conditions to treat, accounting for approximately 50 percent of all healthcare spending in the United States (3).

5. Mental disorders are natural occurrences that affect how we think, feel, and act on a daily basis (4).

Conclusion:

Here are some facts about mental health that we should all remember. These can help us spread awareness and push for the change we need to make a difference. Here are some quick facts you might find useful the next time you are talking about mental health with a friend, family member, or colleague. If you or someone you know are ever in a situation where any of these signs begin to appear, please seek help immediately.

The information shared above is intended only as an overview of mental health; it isn't a replacement for professional mental healthcare. Cheers to fighting the stigma and providing more support to those who need it.

Perhaps the easiest (and best) thing to do when you're having a bad day is to talk to someone. If you're not comfortable sharing what's on your mind with family or friends, there are certain mental health services and hotlines that offer either free or low-cost support to anyone who might need it.