Mental Health: It’s Part of All Our Lives Brochure
"Too many Americans are unaware that mental illnesses can be treated and recovery is possible. In fact, a wide array of effective mental health services and treatments is available to allow children and adults to be vital contributors to their communities."President’s New Freedom Commission on Mental Health, Achieving the Promise: Transforming Mental Health Care in America
Nick
is a computer programmer who enjoys
sports.
Sandy is a retired nurse who volunteers at her
church and writes for local newspapers.
Lisa is a public relations specialist who
is earning high grades as an art history
student.
These people have
a lot in common: They are productive. They
are leaders.
They make a positive difference in their communities.
And they have recovered from a mental illness. They’re the people we know at
work, at school, in our families, and in our neighborhoods.
The symptoms of mental illnesses differ widely, but one thing is the same: receiving treatment and community supports is crucial to recovery.
To find treatment and support programs, look in your phone book for mental health services. Your health care provider, clergy or friends may know of resources in your community.
Also visit the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration’s National Mental Health Information Center at www.mentalhealth.samhsa.gov (click on Services Locator) or call the Center at 800-789-2647 (English/Spanish). See the Resource List in this brochure for more about the Center.
Mental Illnesses Are Common
Mental health problems are health conditions involving changes in thinking, mood, or behavior.
Mental health and mental illness can be pictured as two points on a continuum with a range of conditions in between. When these conditions are more serious, they are referred to as mental illnesses and include depression, schizophrenia, anxiety and others which may require treatment and support.
These conditions can affect anyone, regardless of age, culture, race, gender, ethnicity, economic status, or location. Mental illnesses are surprisingly common—they affect almost every family in America. There’s a very good chance that you know someone who is affected.
The good news is that effective treatments are available and people recover from mental illnesses. How does recovery happen? A lot of people with mental illnesses work with therapists, counselors, peers, psychologists, psychiatrists, nurses, and social workers, often in combination with some of the most advanced medicines ever developed. They also use selfhelp strategies and community supports.
The actions and attitudes of friends, family, colleagues, and classmates can make a big difference in a person’s recovery.
What Is Recovery?
Recovery refers to the process in which people are able to live, work, learn, and participate fully in their communities. For some individuals, recovery is the ability to live a fulfilling and productive life despite a disability. For others, recovery implies the reduction or complete remission of symptoms. Science has shown that having hope plays an integral role in an individual’s recovery.
Unfortunately, many people with serious mental illnesses do not seek or receive treatment; in 2002 fewer than half of adults with serious mental illnesses received treatment for their mental health problem. The common reasons people do not seek treatment include cost, fear, not knowing where to go for services, and concern about confidentiality and the opinions of neighbors and community. This fear of what people may think — the stigma that surrounds mental illness — is a serious barrier to treatment and recovery. Fortunately everyone can do something to reduce stigma.
Many people who do not understand mental health think that there is something shameful about this type of problem. This “stigma” that surrounds mental illnesses can stop people from getting an education, a home, and a job. In fact, many people do not seek treatment because they fear stigma and discrimination.
What We Can Do To Counter Stigma
- Learn and share the facts about mental health and about people with mental illnesses, especially if you hear or read something that isn’t true.
- Treat people with mental illnesses with respect and dignity, as you would anybody else.
- Avoid labeling people by using derogatory terms like "crazy," "wacko," "schizo," "loony," “psycho," or "nuts."
- Avoid labeling people by their diagnosis. Instead of saying, "She’s a schizophrenic," say, "She has schizophrenia."
- Support people with mental illnesses by helping to develop community resources.
- Respect the rights of people with mental illnesses and don’t discriminate against them when it comes to housing, employment, or education. Like other people with disabilities, people with mental illnesses are protected under Federal and State laws.
- Teach children about mental health, and help them realize that mental illnesses are like any other treatable health condition.
Myth: Mental illnesses cannot affect me.
Fact: Mental illnesses do not discriminate–they can affect anyone. According to a report from the President’s New Freedom Commission on Mental Health, mental illnesses are surprisingly common; they affect almost every family in America.
Myths & Facts About People With Mental Illnesses
Myth: People with mental illnesses can’t
hold jobs.
Fact: On the contrary, many are productive
employees, business owners, and contributing
members of their communities.
Myth: There’s no hope for people with mental
illnesses.
Fact: There are more treatments, strategies,
and community supports than ever before,
and even more are on the horizon. People with
mental illnesses lead active, productive lives.
Myth: I can’t do anything for someone with a
mental illness.
Fact: We can do a lot more than most
people think. Starting with the way we
act and speak, we can nurture an
environment that builds on people’s
strengths and promotes good mental
health.
Myth: People with mental
illnesses are violent and
unpredictable.
Fact: Chances are you know
someone with a mental illness
and don’t even realize it. In
reality, the vast majority of
people who have mental
illnesses are no more violent
than anyone else.
National Resources
Substance Abuse and Mental Health
Services Administration (SAMHSA)
SAMHSA sponsors the National Mental
Health Information Center which
provides a wide array of information on
mental health to people, including users
of mental health services and their
families, the public, policymakers,
providers, and the media. Visit
www.mentalhealth.samhsa.gov, or call
800-789-2647 (English/Spanish) and
866-889-2647 (TDD).
Resource Center to Address
Discrimination and Stigma (ADS Center)
This center helps people design,
implement, and operate programs that
reduce discrimination and stigma
associated with mental health problems.
Visit www.stopsigma.hhs.gov or call
800-540-0320 (English/Spanish).
Mental Health: It’s Part of All Our Lives
For more information about related
activities in your State, visit
www.allmentalhealth.samhsa.gov
or call 800-789-2647 (English/Spanish)
and 866-889-2647 (TDD).
