Tackling Your Mental Health

Why does my mental health matter? How common are mental health issues? How do I fix my mental health? 

by: SAC Health Staff Writer

How common are mental health issues?

In a recent survey, over 50 million Americans reported dealing with a mental illness. That’s over 20% or 1 in 5 people. Mental illness is more common than you think and often goes untreated because of personal or societal judgments.

Over half of Americans with a mental illness diagnosis don’t receive treatment.

Sometimes, it feels embarrassing to ask for help, but other times, patients simply aren’t sure where to ask. It doesn’t have to be that way.

Who suffers most from mental health issues?

Anyone can suffer from mental illness, but certain groups tend to struggle more than others. The two biggest factors in mental illness reporting tend to be:

Gender: 36% of women report struggling with depression and anxiety compared to just 20% of men and women of color report the highest numbers of all.

Age: 36% of those 18-25 years old report struggling with mental illness with 29% reporting for ages 25-49 and 14% for those older than 50. Youth also represent the group with the highest rates of substance abuse.

What causes mental illness?

There’s no one cause of mental illness and each disorder is different. Some mental illnesses are more genetic, some are situational, but most are a mix of both. Just a few of the potential causes of mental illness include:

• Genetics

• Family history

• Substance abuse

• Traumatic experiences (at any age, not just in childhood)

• Stress

• Environmental factors (air quality, chemicals, etc)

• Chronic physical conditions

• Social isolation

• Poverty

• Discrimination

• Sleep disorders

• Dietary issues

Do I have a mental illness?

The only sure way to know if you need help with a mental illness is to talk to your doctor. Different mental disorders come with different symptoms and different causes, so it’s not always easy to tell. Some common symptoms however, include:

• Feeling confused or disoriented

• Feeling deeply sad and unable to complete tasks

• Extreme mood changes

• Major changes in daily habits (eating, sleeping, working, exercising, etc)

If you’re worried about your mental health, the first step is to speak to a doctor. Shame and denial keep many Americans from seeking mental health care, but there’s no reason to feel ashamed.

To find out more about SAC Health and Wellness Services and talk to a caring doctor near you, visit our appointments page. You can also come by our Murrieta Behavioral Health Clinic at any time for a helping hand.