Thoughts for the Month of May's Mental Health Awareness

Thoughts For Mental Health Awareness Month of May
Mental illness is more common than most people know. It is one of America's less understood health challenges. It lives in our brains and minds which, in my mind, less understood than outer space.
1 in 5 U.S. adults experience mental illness each year
1 in 25 U.S. adults experience serious mental illness each year
1 in 6 U.S. youth aged 6-17 experience a mental health disorder each year
50% of all lifetime mental illness begins by age 14, and 75% by age 24
Suicide is the 2nd leading cause of death among people aged 10-34
While I am not a medical science researcher or even a psychiatrist, just a person who has witnessed its damage from a ringside seat [see below], I am sharing my personal opinion about mental illness in the USA.
I believe, intuitively that mental illness is a strong cause/foundation, not only of suicide but of homelessness, addiction, mass shootings - just some of America's major problems.
Ergo, I believe we must give a higher priority to researching it's cause and cure, along with cancer and heart disease.
I am not accusing our nation's interest or investment in the search for cause and cure, just wish to see it grow with more resources.
Moreover, I think that this pandemic will bring more eyes to the topic.
I close with a salute to the Staff of the New York State Rockland Psychiatric [Hospital] in Orangeburg. They are hundreds giving top professional health and personal care to fragile vulnerable hundreds of mentally ill adults under one roof so to speak. They, like our other Heroes on the Front Lines, are dealing with our latest war with devotion to duty with no compromising. They are unseen, hidden behind walls, but deserving the same appreciation as all our other Heroes on the Front Lines.
President of the Rockland Psychiatric Center [Hospital] Board of Visitors
Former Chairman of the Rockland County Board of Mental Health, Mental Retardation and Alcoholism
Former member of the Rockland Children's Psychiatric Center board of Visitors
Co-Founder & Former Chairman of the Board of Directors of Loeb House, a Charity that operates community living opportunities for the mentally ill.

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