According to the National Institute of Mental Health, mental disorders represent four of the Top Ten Leading Causes of Disability for persons ages five and older. In our country today, major depression is the leading cause of disability, while bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, and obsessive-compulsive/anxiety disorders follow close behind.
In a complex and fast-paced world with diverse populations, a variety of cultures, and crumbling family structures, people are struggling with more mental health problems and disorders. These often strike early in life during childhood, adolescence, or early adulthood. The recent pandemic related to the COVID-19 virus has also added to undue stress throughout many in our population. Because mental health disorders may cause severe symptoms and run a chronic or recurrent course, they are profoundly destructive not only to the quality of life and productivity, but to the well-being of individuals, their families, and their loved ones.
The often untreated and unrecognized symptoms of mental illness negatively impact an individual’s family, social, educational, and career interactions. Gaining the information needed to recognize symptoms promptly and accurately, treat safely and effectively, and when possible prevent long-term mental health disorders is critical for our clients and their families, as well as, for our community at large.
