It can occur to anyone, at any age and to people of any race or ethnic group. Mental illness is NOT a sign of weakness or personal shortcoming. Like diabetes, many mental illnesses are caused by biological factors such as a chemical imbalance in the brain. More than 50 million of our fellow Americans suffer from mental illness. Only about 30 percent of those affected seek any help at all.
Mental illnesses are common and treatable.
More than 80 percent of mental illnesses can be successfully treated. There are many myths surrounding mental illness. Unhappiness is part of life, a price you pay for being successful and stressed or downtrodden or old or a teenager. Lack of adequate referral. Reluctance to reimburse for mental health care.