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Health & Fitness

Mental Illness - The Numbers

Nancy Wellbrock, Neighbor

Next week, October 6th - 12th, has been designated as Mental Illness Awareness Week by the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI).  During this time, people are encouraged to learn about mental illness.

Why is this important?  Because mental illness can happen to anyone and it can strike at any time.

Here are some numbers from NAMI to think about:

  • One in four adults (approximately 61 million Americans) experience a mental health problem in a given year
  • One in five young people, aged 13 to 18, also experience mental illness.  In fact, one-half of all mental illness begins by the age of 14 - three quarters by age 24
  • About 41 million Americans live with anxiety disorders including obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) and posttraumatic stress (PTSD)
  • About 15 million live with major depression
  • About 6 million live with bipolar disorder
  • About 2.6 million live with schizophrenia
According to NAMI, less than one-third of adults and less than one-half of children, with a diagnosed illness receive treatment.  Often times, there is a long delay between the first appearance of symptoms and when people seek help.  Recovery from mental illness is possible.  But it's important to understand the nature of mental illness, the symptoms of different conditions, and how to get help.

In Essex County, FAMILYConnections offers mental health counseling and other therapies for families and children.  To learn more, visit www.familyconnectionsnj.org or call 973 675-3817.  You can also visit NAMI (www.nami.org), the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (www.samhsa.gov), or New Jersey's Division of Mental Health and Addiction Services (www.state.nj.us/humanservices/divisions/dmhas/).

Take action today if you are concerned about someone in your life!! 











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