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What is Mental Health?
Mental health includes our emotional, psychological, and social well-being.
It affects how we think, feel, and act. Many factors contribute to mental health problems, including:
*Biological Factors, such as genes or brain chemistry
*Life Experiences, such as trauma or abuse
*Family History of mental health issues
Mental Illness Risk Factors, Symptoms, & Treatment
Mental Health Facts
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More than 50 million Americans struggle with mental illness.[1]
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1 in 5 young people (age 13-18) has or will develop a mental illness in their lifetime.[2]
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Youth depression rates have risen from 12.9% to 25.2% from pre-pandemic to 2021. Depression symptoms can impact performance in school and interfere with personal relationships.[3]
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Most Americans lack access to adequate mental health treatment. 54.7% of American adults with mental illness did not receive care in the last year.[4]
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Mental illnesses can affect people of any age, race, religion, or income. A mental illness is a medical condition that disrupts a person’s thinking, feeling, mood, and ability to relate to others and daily functioning.[5]
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Many factors contribute to the development of a mental health condition, including life experiences (such as trauma or a history of abuse), biological factors, and family history of mental illness.[6]
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Depression is the leading cause of disability worldwide.[7]
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Members of LGBTQ+ community are almost 3 times more likely to experience a mental health condition such as major depression or generalized anxiety disorder.[8]
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Common signs of mental health issues include: extreme mood swings, changes in eating habits, excessive worrying or fear, problems concentrating, and avoiding friends or social activities.[9]
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1/2 of all mental illnesses show early signs before a person turns 14 years old, and 3/4 of mental illnesses begin before age 24.[10]
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More than 1 in 4 adults living with serious mental illnesses also struggles with substance abuse.[11]