Monthly Project- October 2019

Why is it important to spread awareness about the prevalence of mental illness? Well for one, mental illness can feel extremely isolating. Since you usually can’t SEE mental illness from the outside, it’s hard to know just how many people are living with mental illness. You’ll read this over and over on my blog, but one of my goals in life is to do what I can to de-stigmatize mental illness. I suffer from depression and anxiety, and it took me YEARS to even realize what I was experiencing, even though looking back the signs were so clear. I am now on an anti-depressant, have been going to therapy for years, and try to prioritize my well-being. Of course my depression and anxiety are always going to be part of me, but they don’t define me. I try to be vocal and honest about having depression and anxiety, and mention often that I go to therapy and take meds. Since I began doing this, I have had countless friends, family members, and acquaintances open up about their own experiences with mental illness. Suddenly, we both feel less alone, our compassion for others has grown a little more, and we see more hope on the horizon.

So, let’s look at some facts and figures. I am going to share my sources at the end of this post, and I plan to create an Instagram story with resources at some point this month as well (@annelyzethat). Unless otherwise specified, these figures refer to US residents:

* 1 in 5 US adults experience mental illness each year (about 46 million people).

* 1 in 6 youth (ages 6-17) experience a mental health disorder each year.

* Suicide is the second leading cause of death among people ages 10-34.

* Anxiety disorders are the most commonly diagnosed, followed by depression, Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, and Bipolar Disorder.

* Racial/ethnic minorities often bear a high burden of disability resulting from mental disorders. Black and Latino prevalence of depression tends to be more persistent than whites who experience depression.

* People who identify as being two or more races are most likely to report mental illness than any other race. Indigenous people tend to experience higher instances of PTSD and substance abuse than any other racial/ethnic group.

* 20% of people experiencing homelessness have a mental health condition, as well as 37% of incarcerated adults and 70% (!) of youth in juvenile detention centers.

* LGBT youth are 4x more likely to attempt suicide than straight youth, transgender adults are TWELVE times more likely to attempt suicide than the general population.

It is worth noting that mental illness is often underreported, especially among men and those in marginalized communities. Women, non-whites, LGBTQ folx, and those living in poverty are more likely to experience discrimination in the healthcare field, or lack access to care. Because of complex factors such as structural racism, sexism, and capitalism, marginalized people are more likely to live in environments that increase the chance of developing mental illness, and are also more likely to face discrimination, thus perpetuating the cycle. Understanding structural barriers and their effect on individuals will help us advocate for better access to care. If you are feeling the weight of a mental health condition, I see you and I am here for you. Sending love!

Sources:

National Alliance on Mental Illness- http://www.nami.org

Mental Health America- http://www.mhanational.org

National Institute of Mental Health- http://www.nimh.nih.gov

You are not alone. If you or someone you know needs help, please call The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline, available 24/7: 1-800-273-8255.