It's easy to understand why. Less than 10 percent of our health care dollars are spent on mental health. Yet a look at some facts readily shows the need for more ink, air time and Web space. According to the National Institute of Mental Health, one in ten Americans experiences some disability from a diagnosable mental illness every year. The impact in human terms, of course, cannot be so readily measured.
Few families escape dealing with mental illness.
Mental disorders do not respect age, race or gender. Add to that the misunderstanding, fear and stigma associated with mental illnesses. The result is a lot of misery. Scientists are shedding new light on the workings of the brain and the interplay between biology and behavior. Studies are concluding that mental illnesses can be diagnosed, treated, and, to an extent, prevented.