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10 Surprising Mental Health Facts You Should Know
Mental health is a state of well-being where every individual realizes their potential, can cope with the everyday stresses of life, work productively and fruitfully, and contribute to their community.
Mental health can influence daily life, relationships, and the ability to function. Many of us have mental health concerns from time to time, but these issues do not define who we are.
An essential part of being mentally healthy is knowing when you need support from a healthcare professional or counselor and accessing that help on time.
Conditions such as anxiety, depression, eating disorders, schizophrenia, Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), and addiction can all affect your mental health. However, mental health issues are treatable, and you should not be afraid to seek help.
If you or someone you care about is struggling with their mental health, you must become aware of the symptoms so that they can receive treatment. It’s also essential for them to know that these feelings are just temporary, and other people go through similar things every day, but there is always hope.
Don’t be embarrassed or ashamed because, if anything, these should motivate you to get help before it gets worse.
Table of Contents
Here are ten surprising mental health facts:
More women than men have been diagnosed with depression in the U.S.
It’s a common myth that men don’t get depressed, but they do, which is a severe issue. More women have been diagnosed with depression than men because women are more likely to seek help.
A significant risk factor for suicide is when an individual has been diagnosed with bipolar disorder or another mood disorder.
People who are addicted to alcohol or drugs are at a higher risk of developing mental health disorders such as schizophrenia, anxiety, and depression.
In addition, the use of illegal substances can lead to hallucinations and delusions, which could be interpreted as symptoms of a specific mental illness.
Abuse of legal medications can also cause adverse side effects that may result in a person experiencing depression or anxiety.
Depression is the leading cause of disability worldwide
According to the World Health Organization, depression is the leading cause of disability worldwide, and it affects more than 350 million people. It means that depression can keep someone from going to work or school, participating in social activities, and enjoying life.
Many people with mental health disorders never receive treatment
It is a terrifying fact because many people with mental health disorders never receive the treatment they need. It could be due to several reasons, such as not knowing they have a mental health disorder, being afraid to seek help, or not being able to afford treatment.
1 in 5 adults in the U.S. experiences a mental health issue in a given year
According to the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI), this statistic is accurate. Having a mental health issue does not make you weak or defined by it. Many celebrities have struggled with their mental health and overcame it, like Zayn Malik and Selena Gomez.
People with depression often feel tired, restless, irritable, sad, hopeless, discouraged. They lose interest in things that once pleased them; sleeping difficulties, either sleeping too much or having trouble sleeping; problems are concentrating; aches and pains without any apparent physical cause.
Many people can experience depression but may show different symptoms, so this should not be shocking if you know someone or struggle yourself. The important thing is being aware to notice the signs and seek help.
It is possible to have depression but not know it.
A person can live with depression for years without knowing it because it does not present with physical symptoms like a broken leg or stomach pains.
They may be experiencing emotional discomfort but think everyone else goes through too, so this makes it okay. However, it’s essential to be familiar with the symptoms of depression to identify it in yourself or a loved one.
1 in 4 people will experience a mental health disorder at some point in their life
Another statistic from NAMI reveals that someone you know has or will experience a mental health disorder. It could be your neighbor, friend, or family member. It is essential to be supportive and understanding because we all go through tough times.
Suicide is the 10th leading cause of death in the U.S.
Every day, approximately 123 Americans die by suicide. It means that suicide takes more lives than homicide each year.
Suicide does not discriminate; it can affect anyone regardless of race, gender, socioeconomic status, religion, sexual orientation, etc. Suicide is preventable if someone receives treatment for their mental health disorder, addiction, or another underlying cause of suicidal thoughts.
People contemplating suicide often do not ask for help; they might feel ashamed because they think it’s a sign of weakness. Yet, 1 in 6 adults contemplates suicide at some point.
Only 44% of adults with diagnosable mental illnesses receive treatment
It is a significant issue because people are struggling without help. This could be due to many factors such as lack of insurance, not knowing where to go for help, or feeling ashamed.
It is essential to break the stigma surrounding mental health and talk about it more openly so that people can feel comfortable seeking the help they need.
Mental health disorders are not shameful.
They are illnesses that should be treated with care and understanding. Just because you cannot see them does not mean they are not real. Recovery is possible, and you are not alone.
We need to reduce the stigma surrounding mental health so that people can get tested and treated for their disorders. This way, the 1 in 6 adults who contemplate suicide at least once will have access to treatment to get better.
One in six U.S. youth aged 6-17 experience a mental health disorder in a given year
Another statistic from NAMI means that someone in your child’s classroom, soccer team, or scout troop is experiencing a mental health disorder.
Therefore, it is essential to talk to your children about mental health and what it means. It will help them identify if they are experiencing any symptoms and know that it is okay to ask for help.
Mental health disorders can affect anyone.
They do not discriminate and can affect people of any race, gender, socioeconomic status, religion, sexual orientation, etc.
Therefore, it is essential to support those struggling and understand that we all go through tough times. If you or someone you know needs help, please seek support because it could save a life.
Depression alone costs the U.S. about $210.5 billion annually.
This statistic includes the cost of lost productivity, health care costs, and suicide-related costs in the U.S. These numbers are staggering. Still, they demonstrate how much a mental health disorder can affect a person’s life. The average age for a child or teen to experience their first episode of depression is 13-15 years old. Unfortunately, 3 out of 4 teens with depression go undiagnosed.
To be diagnosed with Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in children, at least six symptoms must be present before the age of 12
These six symptoms include
Lack of attention
Hyperactivity
Quitting tasks when they become problematic
Excessive talking or fidgeting
Extreme disorganization/ forgetfulness/ losing often (such as toys)
Interrupting people while talking
ADHD often continues into adulthood if it’s not treated, affecting a person’s job, relationships, and daily activities. The disorder affects 9% of children and 4.1% of adults in the U.S.
Therefore; it is essential to talk about mental health disorders because it can help those struggling to find treatment for their illnesses.
Conclusion:
These numbers show that 1 in 6 adults, 1 in 5 children, and 1 in 4 teens are affected by a mental health disorder each year.
Find support for your child or get help for yourself if you are experiencing symptoms of any mental health disorder because recovery is possible.
Depression alone costs the U.S. about $210 billion annually. Hence, it’s essential to be supportive of those struggling with these illnesses and know that they can affect anyone at any time regardless of socioeconomic status, gender/race, etc.
The earlier symptoms are identified and treated, the better chance someone has at getting better quickly to live their lives fully again.
However, we cannot possibly reduce the number of people affected by mental health disorders unless we talk more about them and treat them with care and understanding.
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