What is mental illness?

The number one health problem identified by the U.S. Public Health Service is not AIDS, diabetes, polio, cancer or even heart disease. It’s mental illness, which impacts more people than cancer and heart disease put together.

Mental illness refers to a group of disorders that cause disturbances in thinking, feeling and relating. The causes of mental illness include genetic factors, brain injury, trauma, substance abuse and biochemical imbalance in the brain. Mental illness limits the ability to cope with the ordinary demands of everyday life. A person may experience temporary or chronic symptoms of mental illness.

Myths about mental illness

False: Individuals with mental illness are all criminal offenders.

True: People with mental illnesses are more often the victims of crime.

False: Only “certain types” of people become mental ill.

True: Mental illness does not discriminate. It affects people of any age, race, gender, education level and socioeconomic background.

False: Persons with mental illness cannot lead productive lives.