The Importance of Mental Heath Month


The American Psychiatric Association (APA), along with the nation's mental health community, observes May as national Mental Health Month.

According to Carolyn Robinowitz, M.D., president-elect of the APA. "About one-in-five Americans suffer from a diagnosable mental disorder during any given year. This means few families are untouched by a mental illness. All families will benefit from understanding how these disorders can impact their lives."

"Left untreated, mental illnesses can take an enormous toll on family life, the workplace, and society as a whole," Robinowitz said. Mental disorders comprise four of the 10 leading causes of disability in the U.S. and the economic burden of depression alone was estimated at $83 billion in 2000.

ARTICLE SUMMARY: 4/28/2006: May is Mental Health Month: 'Learn More About the Warning Signs of Mental Illnesses'
These are just some of the warning signs of a common mental illness, such as depression or anxiety disorder.
- Change in personality.
- Inability to cope with family, friends, problems and daily activities.
- Marked changes in eating or sleeping patterns.
- Extreme highs and lows.

Most people may not realize that 20 percent of Americans suffer from a diagnosable mental disorder each year. Therefore, it's very likely someone in your family and circle of friends has been touched by a mental illness. Each year, more people suffer from mental illnesses than from cancer and diabetes combined. According to the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH), the rate of successful treatment for depression (70-80 percent) is higher than the rate for chronic illnesses, like heart disease (45-50 percent).

A recent national consumer survey by the American Psychiatric Association found that many people know little or almost nothing about the warning signs, causes, and effective treatments for mental illnesses. Only 47 percent of those surveyed felt well- equipped to understand and identify the basic warning signs of a common mental illness. The majority-84 percent-said they would like to know more about how to identify these warning signs.
FROM: http://releases.usnewswire.com/GetRelease.asp?id=64819

Many Americans Know Little about Mental Illnesses... : Summary-PRNewswire Press Release, American Psychiatric Association, April 25, 2006

* Stigma persists: Thirty-one percent of adults surveyed say they would not seek treatment because they fear what others may think.

The survey also showed that one-third of Americans mistakenly think that emotional or personal weakness is a major cause of mental illnesses and almost as many think old age is a major cause. In fact, research shows the causes of mental illnesses are genetic and environmental factors, traumatic events, and other physical illnesses and injuries that have psychiatric side effects.

FROM: FROM: http://biz.yahoo.com/prnews/060425/dcm037a.html?.v=1/ADVANCE FOR RELEASE AT 9:00 A.M., TUESDAY APRIL 25/; For more information, visit the American Psychiatric Association's "Healthy Minds. Healthy Lives." public information Web site: http://www.healthyminds.org."

Don't let the fear of what others may think stop you from seeking help!

Help is only a Mouse Click away for convenient, safe, and confidential help for you or anyone you know who is impacted by depression.