9781422275467

MENTAL ILLNESSES: SOCIETY Approximately 1 in 25 adults in the U.S.—9.8 million, or 4.0%—experiences a serious mental illness in a given year that substantially interferes with or limits one or more major life activities. • An estimated 26% of homeless adults staying in shelters live with serious mental illness, and an estimated 46% live with severe mental illness and/or substance use disorders. • Approximately 20% of state prisoners and 21% of local jail prisoners have a recent history of a mental health condition. • 70% of youth in juvenile justice systems have at least one mental health condition, and at least 20% live with a serious mental illness.

MOST COMMON MENTAL ILLNESSES IN THE U.S. • Major depression • Personality disorders • Bipolar disorder • Attention-deficit/ hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) • Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) • Schizophrenia • Personality disorders • Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) • Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) • Suicide • Eating disorders • Phobias Source: National Institute of Mental Health.

• 18.1% of adults in the U.S. experienced an anxiety disorder such as posttraumatic stress disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder, and specific phobias. Source: www.nimh.nih.gov. DID YOU KNOW? • People with mental illnesses often feel afraid to seek help.

• Stigma and discrimination can also worsen a mental illness.

• Most people who experience mental health problems recover fully or are able to live with and manage them.

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