Startling Facts on Mental Illness Two-thirds of all diagnosable, treatable mental illness go untreated because the stigma can be worse than the illness itself. Twenty-five percent of all women and 12 percent of all men will deal with a depressive episode in their lifetime. People 18 or older diagnosed with a serious mental illness within the past year increased slightly from 2002-2003 to about 19.6 million. The numbers broken down by education are as follows: 4.3 million less than high school, 6.4 million high school graduates, 5.4 million some college, and 3.6 million college graduates. Mental illnesses can affect people of any age, race, religion, education or income level. Every year, about one in five adults, develops a diagnosable mental disorder. Five to seven percent of adults and five to nine percent of children have disabling mental illnesses. Mental illnesses are brain disorders. They are not defects in someone's personality or a sign of poor moral character of lack of faith. Chemical imbalances in the brain, from unknown or incompletely known causes, are much of the reason for symptoms of mental illnesses. The biggest barrier for people living with mental illnesses is stigma. People with mental illness experience discrimination a result of the general public's perception of what living with these disorders may act or look like, or the fear of violent or unpredictable behavior. Yet, there is no evidence that persons with mental illness are more violent than the general population. Depression: Clinical depression is more than having a bad day or coping with a major loss such as the death of a loved one or even a favorite pet. It's also not a personal weakness or character flaw. It is a brain disorder that affects the whole person-it affects the way one feels, thinks, and acts. Some common signs of depression include: Persistent sadness and hopelessness Increased irritability or agitation Changes in sleeping and eating habits Indecision lack of concentration or forgetfulness Poor self-esteem or guilt Frequent physical complaints such as headaches and stomachaches Drug and/or alcohol abuse Thoughts of death or suicide Fortunately, the prognosis for depression is good. Once diagnosed, medication and psychotherapy can effectively treat 80 percent of clinically depressed individuals. Information reported from the National Alliance of Mental Illness 2007. Carol A. Kivler Courageous Recovery "Changing the face of mental illness" 33 Traditions Way, Suite 101 Lawrence, NJ 08648 (609) 882-8988 carol@CourageousRecovery.com www.CourageousRecovery.com A Division of Kivler Communications www.kivlercommunications.com