Mental Health Awareness Month
We've selected two images that would hopefully evoke more awareness of the nature of mental illness.
Mental health is coming to the fore as it seeks center stage as a serious threat to the lives of an increasing number of people. There is a debate as to the actual numbers who are affected, and also the rapidity or otherwise of its occurrence.
A brief look at history would inform us as to the state of the science at one period as compared to today. Many practitioners today believe that the many classifications of mental illnesses we have today , already existed centuries ago but were lumped into illnesses of the spirit or soul , and in some instances treated with scorn or death.
Now that we have evolved to a large extent, and are taking a more scientific approach to mental illness and wellness, here's what we found; mental health encompasses emotional, psychological, and social well being. It influences cognition, perception, and behavior. It also determines how an individual handles stress, interpersonal relationships, and decision making(Wikipedia)
Here are some statistics:
* One in five young people (age 13-18) has or will develop a mental illness in their lifetime.
*Youth depression rates has risen from 5.9% to 8.2% since 2012. Depression symptoms can impact performance in school and interfere with personal relational relationships.
*Most Americans lack access to adequate mental health treatment. 56% of American adults with mental illnesses did not receive care in the last year.
*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, feelings, mood, and ability to relate to others and daily function.
*Many factors contribute to the development of a mental health condition, including : trauma or history of abuse, biological factors, and family history of mental illness.
*Depression is the leading form of mental illness worldwide.
As a consequence of these facts, Mental Health Awareness Month has been observed in May in the United States since 1949.
With this awareness, we can begin to reach out to those individuals who may otherwise find it difficult to cope. The reality is, it could come knocking at anyone's front door.
Mental health is coming to the fore as it seeks center stage as a serious threat to the lives of an increasing number of people. There is a debate as to the actual numbers who are affected, and also the rapidity or otherwise of its occurrence.
A brief look at history would inform us as to the state of the science at one period as compared to today. Many practitioners today believe that the many classifications of mental illnesses we have today , already existed centuries ago but were lumped into illnesses of the spirit or soul , and in some instances treated with scorn or death.
Now that we have evolved to a large extent, and are taking a more scientific approach to mental illness and wellness, here's what we found; mental health encompasses emotional, psychological, and social well being. It influences cognition, perception, and behavior. It also determines how an individual handles stress, interpersonal relationships, and decision making(Wikipedia)
Here are some statistics:
* One in five young people (age 13-18) has or will develop a mental illness in their lifetime.
*Youth depression rates has risen from 5.9% to 8.2% since 2012. Depression symptoms can impact performance in school and interfere with personal relational relationships.
*Most Americans lack access to adequate mental health treatment. 56% of American adults with mental illnesses did not receive care in the last year.
*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, feelings, mood, and ability to relate to others and daily function.
*Many factors contribute to the development of a mental health condition, including : trauma or history of abuse, biological factors, and family history of mental illness.
*Depression is the leading form of mental illness worldwide.
As a consequence of these facts, Mental Health Awareness Month has been observed in May in the United States since 1949.
With this awareness, we can begin to reach out to those individuals who may otherwise find it difficult to cope. The reality is, it could come knocking at anyone's front door.