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Better Mental Health

Posted on Thursday, January 6, 2022
With 2022 ringing in a new year, we wanted to touch base about a very popular new year's resolution - better mental health.
While this subject may not apply to you in particular, it does apply to someone you know.

Here are some statistics from NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Illness)
You Are Not Alone 21% of U.S. adults experienced mental illness in 2020 (52.9 million people). This represents 1 in 5 adults.
5.6% of U.S. adults experienced serious mental illness in 2020 (14.2 million people). This represents 1 in 20 adults.
16.5% of U.S. youth aged 6-17 experienced a mental health disorder in 2016 (7.7 million people)
6.7% of U.S. adults experienced a co-occurring substance use disorder and mental illness in 2020 (17 million people)
Annual prevalence of mental illness among U.S. adults, by demographic group:
Non-Hispanic Asian: 13.9%
Non-Hispanic white: 22.6%
Non-Hispanic black or African-American: 17.3%
Non-Hispanic American Indian or Alaska Native: 18.7%
Non-Hispanic mixed/multiracial: 35.8%
Non-Hispanic Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander: 16.6%
Hispanic or Latino: 18.4%
Lesbian, Gay or Bisexual: 47.4%
Annual prevalence among U.S. adults, by condition:
Major Depressive Episode: 8.4% (21 million people)
Schizophrenia: <1% (estimated 1.5 million people)
Bipolar Disorder: 2.8% (estimated 7 million people)
Anxiety Disorders: 19.1% (estimated 48 million people)
Posttraumatic Stress Disorder: 3.6% (estimated 9 million people)
Obsessive Compulsive Disorder: 1.2% (estimated 3 million people)
Borderline Personality Disorder: 1.4% (estimated 3.5 million people)

Mental Health Care Matters
46.2% of U.S. adults with mental illness received treatment in 2020
64.5% of U.S. adults with serious mental illness received treatment in 2020
50.6% of U.S. youth aged 6-17 with a mental health disorder received treatment in 2016
The average delay between onset of mental illness symptoms and treatment is 11 years
Annual treatment rates among U.S. adults with any mental illness, by demographic group:
Male: 37.4%
Female: 51.2%
Lesbian, Gay or Bisexual: 54.3%
Non-Hispanic Asian: 20.8%
Non-Hispanic white: 51.8%
Non-Hispanic black or African-American: 37.1%
Non-Hispanic mixed/multiracial: 43.0%
Hispanic or Latino: 35.1%
11% of U.S. adults with mental illness had no insurance coverage in 2020
11.3% of U.S. adults with serious mental illness had no insurance coverage in 2020
55% of U.S. counties do not have a single practicing psychiatrist
134 million people live in a designated Mental Health Professional Shortage Area

The Ripple Effect Of Mental Illness
PERSON
People with depression have a 40% higher risk of developing cardiovascular and metabolic diseases than the general population. People with serious mental illness are nearly twice as likely to develop these conditions.
32.1% of U.S. adults with mental illness also experienced a substance use disorder in 2020 (17 million individuals)
The rate of unemployment is higher among U.S. adults who have mental illness (6.4%) compared to those who do not (5.1%)
High school students with significant symptoms of depression are more than twice as likely to drop out compared to their peers
Students aged 6-17 with mental, emotional or behavioral concerns are 3x more likely to repeat a grade.
FAMILY
At least 8.4 million people in the U.S. provide care to an adult with a mental or emotional health issue
Caregivers of adults with mental or emotional health issues spend an average of 32 hours per week providing unpaid care
COMMUNITY
Mental illness and substance use disorders are involved in 1 out of every 8 emergency department visits by a U.S. adult (estimated 12 million visits)
Mood disorders are the most common cause of hospitalization for all people in the U.S. under age 45 (after excluding hospitalization relating to pregnancy and birth)
Across the U.S. economy, serious mental illness causes $193.2 billion in lost earnings each year
20.8% of people experiencing homelessness in the U.S. have a serious mental health condition
37% of adults incarcerated in the state and federal prison system have a diagnosed mental illness
70% of youth in the juvenile justice system have a diagnosable mental health condition.
8.4% of Active Component service members in the U.S. military experienced a mental health or substance use condition in 2019.
15.3% of U.S. Veterans experienced a mental illness in 2019 (31.3 million people).


Millions of people in the U.S. are affected by mental illness each year. It's important to measure how common mental illness is, so we can understand its physical, social and financial impact - and so we can show that no one is alone. These numbers are also powerful tools for raising public awareness, stigma-busting and advocating for better health care.



This is where you come in. Mental health illness is no joke. It's time to make 2022 your year of better mental health. Take some time to self-evaluate your mental state. Are you happy? Do you find yourself sad or upset, or feel like you are in a dark space often? You may need to reach out to your doctor and discuss options with him/her.

You should never frown upon medications if you need them. They can truly help you feel better. Some medications have an adjustment period where you may feel a little odd, but work through them. Therapy is another option to help you work through some of those gloomy feelings, and finding a therapist isn't hard - and nowadays they offer online therapy sessions, from the comfort of your own home and pajamas.

Another controversial option is meditation, where you become one with your mind, body and soul. You can do meditation from the comfort of your own home, or even a yoga-type setting.

And remember, you are not alone. If you ever have suicidal thoughts, PLEASE reach out to a suicide prevention hotline for someone to talk to and help you find resources that can help you. 1-800-273-TALK(8255) It's your year. Make the best of it!

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