Just the facts….

Millions of people in the U.S. are affected by mental illness each year. It’s important to measure how common mental illness is, so we can understand its impact, and so we can show that no one dealing with it is alone. The numbers don’t lie, and are powerful tools in support of Stomping The Stigma around mental health conditions.

You Are Not Alone.

Mental health conditions are far more common than you think, mainly because people don’t like to, or are scared to, talk about them. However:

• 1 in 5 U.S. adults experience mental illness each year

• 1 in 6 U.S. youth aged 6-17 experience a mental health disorder each year

• Suicide is the 2nd leading cause of death among people aged 10-34 in the U.S.

• The average delay between symptom onset and treatment is 11 Years.

Let’s Talk About It.

A mental illness is a condition that affects a person's thinking, feeling, behavior or mood. These conditions deeply impact day-to-day living and may also affect the ability to relate to others.

A mental health condition isn’t the result of one event. Research suggests multiple, linking causes. Genetics, environment and lifestyle all influence development of a mental health condition. Traumatic life events, stressful job or home life can make some more susceptible. Biomechanics may also play a role. Mental illness is no one’s fault. And for many people, recovery — including meaningful roles in social life, school and work, is possible, especially when you start treatment early and play a strong role in your own recovery process.

Signs and symptoms of

Mental Health Conditions

Trying to tell the difference between what expected behaviors are, and what might be the signs of a mental health condition isn't always easy, but identifying a problem early can help lead to the best outcome. Each illness has its own symptoms, but common signs of mental illness in adults and adolescents can include:

• Changes in eating habits such as increased hunger or lack of appetite

• Difficulty perceiving reality

• Inability to perceive changes in one’s own feelings, behavior or personality (”lack of insight” or anosognosia)

• Abuse of substances like alcohol or drugs

• Multiple physical ailments without obvious causes (such as headaches, stomach aches, vague and ongoing “aches and pains”)

• Thinking about suicide

• Inability to carry out daily activities or handle daily problems and stress