Surprising Facts About Mental Health in America
You have likely heard it on the news – America is in the midst of a mental health crisis. But what does that really mean? If you do not personally know someone who struggles with mental health concerns, it can seem like a distant problem, but for millions of Americans, it is a constant, ever-present struggle.
Consider these 5 facts about mental health that you may or may not have known:
1. Millions of People Struggle with Mental Health Concerns
According to DoSomething.org, over 43 million people in the United States struggle with mental health concerns. Over half of these people will not receive adequate treatment for their disorder.
The stigma around mental health issues has yet to be lifted, although there has been progress made. It becomes more and more normalized as celebrities and other highly-visible people come forward with their own mental health struggles.
2. Mental Health Is a Problem Affecting All Ages
Mental health does not just affect the young or old. It affects people of all ages. Mental health struggles are something common to people regardless of how old they are, where they come from, or how much money they have in the bank. It affects people of every race and every religion.
3. Mental Health Disorders Are on the Rise
According to DoSomething.org, youth depression rates increased from 5.9% in 2012 to 8.2%. The rise in mental health disorders is not unique to a particular age group. More people than ever have acknowledged struggling with some aspect of their mental well-being.
4. Co-Occurring Disorders Are Common
It is not unusual for a person to suffer from more than one mental health disorder at the same time. It is also not unusual for a person to struggle with mental health and substance use disorders at the same time. DoSomething.org notes that over 1 in 4 adults with serious mental illness also struggles with substance abuse.