Mental Illness and YouHow you can help those in need

By Callie Ferguson

Mental illness is defined as a wide range of conditions that affect mood,

thinking, and behavior. Over 14 million Americans are living with a

serious mental illness. But even worse, about 30,000

Americans take their own lives each year, making suicide the 11th

leading cause of death in the United States.

("Co-occurring Disorders Treatment")

Mental Illness is one of the most common causes of disability in American.

Many patients do not receive the treatment they need because they are afraid, don’t have a support system, or

don’t know how to seek help Because of this,• 216,000: Approximate number of homeless U.S. adults with untreated

severe mental illness• 400,000: Approximate number of U.S. adults with untreated mental

illness in jails or prisons• 13,000: Approximate number of suicides committed each year under

the influence of schizophrenic, manic or depressive symptoms• 10% : Approximate percentage of homicides committed each year by

U.S. adults with severe mental illness (approximately 1,400/year at 2012 homicide rates)• 50%: Approximate percentage of mass killings committed by

individuals with untreated severe mental illness* National Institute of Mental Health, 2010

Patient Rights, Important Things to Note• Doctors must have the patient sign that they have read their

rights and give consent for the doctors to start treatment• Every patient has the right to any and all information about

their treatment, included what medication/treatments will be used and possible side effects of this• Every patient in the has the right to refuse medical treatment • Currently the only rights that United States has laws set up to

restrict are parental rights, marriage rights, the right to vote, to sit on a jury, or to hold office

For further information, check out http://www.cchr.org/about-us/mental-health-declaration-of-human-rights.html

MedicationMedication is one of the biggest concerns for patients suffering

from a mental illness. Looking at the long list of side effects can be

scary, and not knowing which ones they may experience when

they start is even worse. There is a lot of not know and risks to be

taken when you start taking medication. But these patients need to understand that there is a biological issue with their brain

that medication will assist in making it easier to live with their

illness.

What Can You Do?• Look out for family member and friends who may be

showing symptoms of a mental illness• Let them know of the resources available to them and

that it is ok to seek help• Listen and let them know it’s going to be ok

Citations • "Bring Change 2 Mind Start the Conversation End the Stigma Comments." Bring

Change 2 Mind. Web. 29 Nov. 2015.• "Charts and Graphics - The Institute for Children, Poverty, and

Homelessness." ICPHusa.org. Institute for Children, Poverty & Homelessness. Web. 29 Nov. 2015.

• "Co-occurring Disorders Treatment." The Recovery Village. Web. 29 Nov. 2015.• "Fast Facts - Treatment Advocacy Center." Treatment Advocacy Center. Web. 29 Nov.

2015.• "Groupe D'intérêt Et De Recherche Pour La Psychiatrie Sociale (SPRING) - Institut

Universitaire En Santé Mentale Douglas." Douglas. Web. 29 Nov. 2015.• "Mental Health Declaration of Human Rights." Citizens Commision on Human Rights.

Web. 29 Nov. 2015.