What is a Mental Health Concern?
Increase general public awareness and education of mental health issues by including
Mental health education in the curriculum of public schools, as well as collaborating
with school counselors.
Mental illness, or mental health concern
Mental illness, or mental health concern, is a collective term that refers
to all the different types of mental conditions, including those that affect your
mood, your thinking and your behavior. To be classified as a mental illness, a condition
must cause distress in your life and reduce your ability to function in one or more
areas of your life, such as at work, in relationships or in social situations
More than 200 conditions are classified as mental illnesses, ranging from minor
to severe. Common mental illnesses include depression and schizophrenia.
A mental illness is technically considered a disorder rather than a disease because
it's classified by descriptions of signs and symptoms that are open to interpretation.
In general, what's considered a mental illness comes down to the severity of signs
and symptoms, how long they've lasted, and how much they impair your ability to
function in your daily life.
Causes
There's no specific identifiable cause of mental illness. But mental illnesses,
in general, are thought to be caused by a variety of biochemical, genetic and environmental
factors.
Risk factors
Although the precise cause of mental illness isn't known, certain factors may increase
the risk of developing or triggering mental illness, including:
- Having other biological relatives with a mental illness
- Stressful life situations, such as financial problems, a loved one's death or a
divorce
- Chronic medical conditions, such as cancer
- Combat
- Taking psychoactive drugs during adolescence
- Lack of friendships or healthy relationships
Mental illness is common worldwide. In the United States, about one in four adults
have a mental illness in any given year. And nearly half of them have more than
one mental illness at the same time. Mental illness can begin at almost any age,
from childhood through later adult years.
Complications
Mental illness exacts a heavy toll. It's one of the leading causes of disability.
Aside from reducing your overall quality of life, untreated mental illness can result
in severe emotional, behavioral, health, and even legal and financial problems.
Complications that mental illness may cause or be associated with include:
- Substance abuse
- Suicide/ Homicide
- Heart disease and other medical conditions
- Work or school problems
- Family conflicts
- Relationship difficulties
- Social isolation
- Poverty/ Homelessness
Symptoms
Signs and symptoms of mental illness can vary greatly depending on the particular
disorder and your age, among other factors. Symptoms also can be related to emotions,
thoughts (cognitive), behavior or physical issues which may include:
- Feeling sad or down
- Confused thinking
- Excessive fears or worries
- Withdrawal from friends and activities
- Problems sleeping
- Delusions or hallucinations; believing, hearing, feeling, seeing things that are
not in reality
- Inability to cope with daily problems or stress
- Alcohol or substance abuse
- Significant changes in eating habits
- Excessive anger, hostility or violence
Please be part of our mission. Aside from monetary donations, we are seeking other
practical assistance for our organization.
We welcome all comments, questions, and inquiries.