Editor’s note: This story as originally published contained a spelling error in the headline, which has been corrected. We regret the error.

May is designated as Mental Health Month. Mental Health Month focuses on the needs of individuals with mental illness, as well as efforts to reduce the stigma associated with mental illness. According to the Centers for Disease Control, mental illness is defined as “collectively all diagnosable mental disorders” or “health conditions that are characterized by alterations in thinking, mood or behavior (or some combination thereof) associated with distress and/or impaired functioning.” Depression is the most common type of mental illness, affecting more than 26 percent of the U.S. adult population. It has been estimated that by the year 2020, depression will be the second leading cause of disability throughout the world, trailing only ischemic heart disease. Mental illnesses are very common. According to the National Institute of Mental Health, about 25 percent of American adults (those ages 18 and older) and about 13 percent of American children (those ages 8 to 15) are diagnosed with a mental disorder during a given year.

Despite ongoing research, no definitive cause of mental illness has yet been identified. Most theories concerning the cause of mental illness include biological, psychological and environmental factors in some combination. The most important message for individuals with mental illness is that mental disorders are treatable, and treatment can result in improved functioning and quality of life for the individual. Mental health treatment can include psychotherapy, medication, group therapy and other interventions, alone or in combination. Many people do not seek needed mental health treatment due to the stigma still associated with mental illness and the shame that the individual often feels as a result of being diagnosed with a mental illness. If you are a friend or family member of an individual with a mental illness, your support and encouragement of that person is critical. They need to know that you will stand by them as they begin to address the issues that have had such a negative impact on their life. The process of treatment is not easy, but the positive benefits that can be attained are well worth the effort.

 

Steve Ellis is licensed psychologist in Natchez.