Mental health affects how we handle stress, relate to others, and make healthy choices at every stage of life, from childhood and adolescence through adulthood. Each year in the U.S., 1 in 5 adults and 1 in 6 youth experience a mental health disorder. But for many people, recovery is possible.

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What is Mental Illness

A mental illness is a condition that affects a person’s thinking, feeling, behavior, or mood. Mental illness deeply impacts day-to-day living and may also affect the ability to relate to others.

Mental illness includes conditions such as schizophrenia, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), bipolar, borderline personality disorder, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), depression, anxiety, eating disorders, suicide, addiction, and others.

Mental illness can affect anyone. Half of all mental illness begins by age 14 and 75% by age 24.

Risk Factors

• Genetics, environment and lifestyle, a stressful job or home life, traumatic events, biological factors in the brain, alcohol or drugs, and feelings of loneliness or isolation can all contribute to mental illness.
• Feelings of sadness, hopelessness, and thoughts of suicide were found to be more common among students across gender, racial and ethnic groups.
• Black students were more likely to attempt suicide than students of other races and ethnicities.
• And people who have illnesses such as heart disease, diabetes, or cancer are at higher risk for depression.

Complications

Alcohol use disorder can range from mild to severe, and even a mild disorder can lead to serious problems. Drinking too much can harm your health. Every year, excessive alcohol use is responsible for more than 140,000 deaths in the U.S. and caused 1 in every 5 deaths of U.S. adults aged 20-49 years.

Signs and Symptoms

Each mental illness has its own symptoms. Common signs of mental illness in adults and adolescents can include:

• Excessive worrying or fear
• Feeling very sad or low
• Confused thinking or problems concentrating
• Extreme mood changes
• Avoiding friends and social activities
• Difficulty understanding or relating to people
• Changes in sleeping habits
• Increased hunger or lack of appetite
• Changes in sex drive
• Difficulty perceiving reality
• Overuse of alcohol or drugs
• Multiple physical ailments without obvious causes
• Thinking about suicide
• Inability to do handle daily activities or stress
• Intense fear of weight gain or concern with appearance

For children, symptoms may include:

• Changes in school performance
• Excessive worry
• Hyperactive behavior
• Frequent nightmares
• Frequent disobedience or aggression
• Frequent temper tantrums

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Diagnosis 
No medical test can accurately diagnose mental illness. Instead, a mental health professional will use the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders to assess symptoms and make a diagnosis.

Treatment
Treatments for mental illness vary by diagnosis and by person. A health care provider can help develop a treatment plan that may include medications, therapy, psychiatric rehabilitation, and peer support.

If you feel that you sometimes drink too much alcohol, your drinking is causing problems, or if your family is concerned about your drinking, talk with your healthcare provider. Early treatment is important. Behavioral therapies, mutual-support groups, and/or medications can help people with AUD achieve and maintain recovery.

Many people can return to meaningful roles in social life, school, and work especially when they start treatment early and play a strong role in their own recovery process.

Prevention

There’s no sure way to prevent mental illness. But these practices may reduce your risk:

• See your doctor regularly.
• Get help when you need it.
• Get plenty of sleep.
• Exercise regularly.
• Eat a healthy diet.
• Do not drink alcohol, or drink in moderation.
• Stay connected to family and friends. Talk to people you trust about how you are feeling.
• Make time to unwind and do activities you enjoy.
• Take breaks from the news, including on social media.

Suicide and Crisis Lifeline

“988” is the nationwide phone number to connect directly to the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline. Call or text 988 to connect with mental health professionals.

Veterans, service members, National Guard and Reserve members, and those who support them can press “1” after dialing 988 to connect to the Veterans Crisis Lifeline. For texts, Veterans should continue to text the Veterans Crisis Lifeline short code: 838255.

Call Community Health Net to schedule an appointment with a provider today: (814) 455-7222.

Our health information does not replace the advice of a doctor. Please be advised that this information is made available to assist the public to learn more about their health. Community Health Net providers may not see and/or treat all topics found herein.

Health Facts is a public service announcement of Community Health Net.

Sources

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) (2023, February 13). Adolescent and School Health: Mental Health. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Retrieved April 7, 2023, from https://www.cdc.gov/healthyyouth/mental-health/

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) (2022, September 14). Depression Is Not a Normal Part of Growing Older. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Retrieved April 7, 2023, from https://www.cdc.gov/aging/depression/index.html

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) (2022, September 13). Mental Health. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Retrieved April 7, 2023, from https://www.cdc.gov/mentalhealth/index.htm

Mayo Clinic (2023). Mental Illness. Retrieved April 7, 2023, from https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/mental-illness/symptoms-causes/syc-20374968

National Alliance on Mental Illness AMI (n.d.). Mental Health Awareness Month. NAMI National Alliance on Mental Illness. Retrieved April 7, 2023, from https://nami.org/Get-Involved/Awareness-Events/Mental-Health-Awareness-Month

National Alliance on Mental Illness NAMI (n.d.). About Mental Illness. NAMI National Alliance on Mental Illness. Retrieved April 7, 2023, from https://www.nami.org/About-Mental-Illness