Summary: Mental illness is nothing to be ashamed of. It is a medical problem, just like heart disease or diabetes. Mental illnesses are health conditions involving changes in emotion, thinking or behavior (or a combination of these). Mental illnesses are associated with distress and/or problems functioning in social, work or family activities. Mental illness is common. In a given year: nearly one in five (19 percent) U.S. adults experience some form of mental illness one in 24 (4.1 percent) has a serious mental illness* one in 12 (8.5 percent) has a diagnosable substance use disorder Mental illness is treatable. The vast majority of individuals with mental illness continue to function in their daily lives. Mental Health... involves effective functioning in daily activities resulting in Productive activities (work, school, caregiving) Healthy relationships Ability to adapt to change and cope with adversity Serious mental illness is a mental, behavioral or emotional disorder (excluding developmental and substance use disorders) resulting in serious functional impairment, which substantially interferes with or limits one or more major life activities. Examples of serious mental illness include major depressive disorder, schizophrenia and bipolar disorder. Mental Illness... refers collectively to all diagnosable mental disorders — health conditions involving Significant changes in thinking, emotion and/or behavior Distress and/or problems functioning in social, work or family activities Mental health is the foundation for emotions, thinking, communication, learning, resilience and self-esteem.
