WHat is mental health?
Mental health conditions are medical conditions that cause changes in how we think and feel and in our mood. They are not the result of personal weakness, lack of character or poor upbringing.
Mental illness is incredibly prominent in our country today. Approximately 20% of adults in the United States experience mental illness in a given year. Furthermore, approximately 1 in 25 adults experiences a serious mental illness that significantly interferes with one or more aspects of their daily life.
Why Is Treatment Important?
With proper treatment, people can realize their full potential, cope with the stresses of life, work productively and meaningfully contribute to the world. Without mental health we cannot be fully healthy.
The consequences of not seeking treatment are striking, but evident in the United States today. Mood disorders are the third most common cause of hospitalization for both youth and adults age 18-44. Suicide is currently the 10th leading cause of death in the United States, and the 2nd leading cause of death for people age 10-34.
What are the treatments for mental illness?
Innovations in the range of evidence based medications, therapy and psychosocial services such as psychiatric rehabilitation, housing, employment and peer supports have made wellness and recovery a reality for people living with mental health conditions.
Treatment choices for mental health conditions will vary from person to person. Even people with the same diagnosis will have different experiences, needs, goals and objectives for treatment. There is no “one size fits all” treatment.
There are many tools that can improve the experience on the road to wellness: medication, counseling (therapy), social support and education. Therapy, for example, can take many forms, from learning relaxation skills to intensively reworking your thinking patterns. Social support, acceptance and encouragement from friends, family and others can also make a difference. Education about how to manage a mental health condition along with other medical conditions can provide the skills and supports to enrich the unique journey toward overall recovery and wellness.