Reject obviously spills over on to the care and family. Improving knowledge and understanding of mental illness is essential if people with mental illness are to live in, contribute to, the community, free of stigma and discrimination. I think it scares the hell out of everyone. No cut to heal, no tumour to cut out, no runny nose to wipe. Treated appropriately and early, it is possible for many people to recover fully.
Mental illness is often transient, coming and going in people's lives.
Some may only have one episode. For some it takes on going treatment but can be managed by some form of medication so that the individual can participate in every day life. The causes are unclear. Some illnesses, like Schizophrenia, can run in some families. Many factors can contribute to the onset of mental illness in people with a predisposition to stress, bereavement, relationship breakdown, child abuse, unemployment, social isolation and times of accidents and life-threatening illness.