Every May, our nation celebrates Mental Health Month, a topic that all of us should care about. According to NAMI.org, 43.8 million adults experience mental illness in a single year, or one in five people. Nearly 10 million American adults live with a serious mental illness, such as anxiety, major depression, bipolar depression and schizophrenia. For half of these illnesses, the symptoms begin by the age of 14.
What Happens if Mental Illness is Untreated?
Sadly, if mental illness is left untreated, it can lead to dire consequences. Approximately 10.2 million adults have co-occurring mental health and substance use disorders. 26 percent of homeless adults staying in shelters live with a serious mental health disorder. Additionally, 24 percent of state prisoners have a recent history of a mental health condition.
The only way to break the cycle is to ensure that people are properly diagnosed and treated. Unfortunately, many people are left without dual diagnosis treatment in Agoura because the signs of mental illness are not properly recognized and treated. As an example, nearly 60 percent of adults with mental illness do not receive treatment services in a single year.
How to Address Mental Illness
It’s clear that our nation has to do better in recognizing the signs of mental illness and where to go for addiction treatment in Agoura. Below are some of the best ways to address mental illness in yourself or a loved one.
- Talk to a doctor. Schedule an appointment with your GP to discuss your mental health. It’s recommended to see your doctor if you’ve experienced concerning changes in your thinking and feeling for the past few weeks or months.
- Take a screening. You can find eight screening tools here. These screenings are the fastest and easiest way to learn if you are experiencing symptoms of a mental health condition.
- Boost your mental health. Make your mental health a priority by writing in a gratitude journal, working your strengths, being present and taking time to laugh. These small things can have a huge impact on your overall mental health.
- Practice good self-care. When living with mental illness, it’s extremely important to practice good self-care. Look over this list of resources that include connecting with others, staying positive and helping others.
- Know the risk factors and early warning signs. Some people think that mental illness won’t happen to them, but it does not discriminate. Learn the risk factors that could put you at a greater risk, such as your genes, environment and lifestyle.
Mental health is an integral part of your overall health and wellness because it affects the way you think, feel and act. If you are experiencing signs of mental illness, contact a doctor right away or reach out to Awakenings Treatment Center. We offer dual diagnosis rehab in California for clients with substance use and mental health disorders.