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About Mental Health
Mental illnesses are biologically based brain disorders. They cannot be
overcome through "will power" and are not related to a person's
"character" or intelligence.
Mental disorders fall along a continuum of severity. The most serious
and disabling conditions affect five to ten million adults (2.6 – 5.4%)
and three to five million children ages five to seventeen (5 – 9%) in
the United States.
Mental disorders are the leading cause of disability (lost years of
productive life) in the North America, Europe and, increasingly, in the
world. By 2020, Major Depressive illness will be the leading cause of
disability in the world for women and children. All ages are susceptible, but
the young and the old are especially vulnerable.
Without treatment the consequences of mental illness for the individual
and society are staggering: unnecessary disability, unemployment,
substance abuse, homelessness, inappropriate incarceration, suicide and
wasted lives; The economic cost of untreated mental illness is more than
100 billion dollars each year in the United States.
The best treatments for serious mental illnesses today are highly
effective; between 70 and 90 percent of individuals have significant
reduction of symptoms and improved quality of life with a combination of
pharmacological and psychosocial treatments and supports;
Early identification and treatment is of vital importance; By getting
people the treatment they need early, recovery is accelerated and the
brain is protected from further harm related to the course of illness.
Stigma erodes confidence that mental disorders are real, treatable
health conditions. We have allowed stigma and a now unwarranted sense of
hopelessness to erect attitudinal, structural and financial barriers to
effective treatment and recovery. It is time to take these barriers
down.
- NAMI Greater
Cleveland (National Alliance on Mental Illness)
Early Warning Signs for Mental Health
The symptoms listed below are common
"red flags", or alerts for further mental health assessment. Many
of these symptoms are common, and do not represent any particular
problem on their own. When these symptoms are unusual, or occur in
combination with others, care givers should be alerted to ask
further questions. If concerns remain, the individual should
consult with a doctor or mental health professional.
Confused thinking
Prolonged sadness
Extreme high and low emotional swings
Excessive fear or worry
Social withdrawal
Dramatic changes in sleep or eating patterns
Delusions or hallucinations
Inability to cope with daily problems
Suicidal thoughts
Denial of obvious problems
Substance abuse
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Contact:
Wendy Maayan, M.A.A.T., Director of
Mental Health at 216.378.2794
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