10 STARTLING FACTS ABOUT MENTAL HEALTH

As Mental Health Awareness Month comes to an end, I wanted to give you the opportunity to see why a month is dedicated to Mental health every year. Mental health isn’t just a trending topic; it’s a dire concern. For those who may be unfamiliar with the urgency, here are 10 startling facts that underscore the pressing need for everyone to take mental health seriously:

1.????? Global Impact:

• Fact: Depression is a leading cause of disability worldwide. Disability costs US taxpayers $260 billion a year.

2.????? Youth at Risk:

• Fact: Suicide is the second leading cause of death among 15–29-year-olds globally.

3.????? Economic Implications:

• Fact: The global economy loses about $1 trillion USD each year in productivity due to depression and anxiety.

4.????? Insufficient Care:

• Fact: Nearly two-thirds of people with a known mental disorder never seek help from a health professional, largely due to stigma and discrimination.

5.????? Mental Illness Prevalence:

• Fact: 1 in 5 adults in the U.S. experience mental illness each year. Mental illness vs. Mental health, big difference.

6.????? Coexisting Conditions:

• Fact: 1 in 25 U.S. adults live with a serious mental illness while also facing other health challenges.

7.????? Untreated Youth:

• Fact: In the U.S., an estimated 60% of adolescents with depression do not receive treatment.

8.????? Connection to Physical Health:

• Fact: Fact: Serious mental illness can lead to a 10–20-year reduction in life expectancy, primarily due to treatable medical conditions.

9.????? Substance Use Disorders:

• Fact: About 50% of individuals with severe mental health conditions also have coexisting substance use disorders.

10.? The Growing Crisis:

• Fact: Between 2008 and 2017, the number of adults experiencing serious psychological distress in the last 30 days increased by 13%

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Mental health isn’t a distant or isolated concern. It affects people around us, it affects our economy in a massive way, and it affects the quality of life in our communities. For the betterment of society and ourselves, it’s crucial that we all actively participate in understanding and addressing mental health issues.

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If you or someone you know is struggling with mental health, it’s essential to seek professional help.

For those who are depressed but too ashamed to admit it, I’ve written a book to help provide you with some hope. The book is selling for $25 on Amazon, but I’m making an e-book version free for the readers of this article by clicking here.

I would highly recommend giving it a read. It’s my own personal story of what happens when we ignore mental health ourselves. Ages 14+

Also: The suicide prevention hotline is 988, you can text or call, and it’s available 24/7

SOURCES:

1.??????? Source: World Health Organization (WHO)

2.??????? Source: World Health Organization (WHO)

3.??????? Source: World Health Organization (WHO)

4.??????? Source: World Health Organization (WHO)

5.??????? Source: National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI)

6.??????? Source: National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI)

7.??????? Source: Mental Health America

8.??????? Source: Mental Health America

9.??????? Source: Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA)

10.????? Source: Journal of Abnormal Psychology