May is mental health awareness month

Millions of American adults suffer from mental illness – But how many people know the signs of mental illness or the resources available to treat them?

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Mental Health America has decided to make Mental Health Awareness Month, according to the organization's website, to raise public awareness of mental illness and mental health resources. Since then, the initiative has been recognized by countless groups and individuals.

"Mental health is essential to everyone's health and well-being, and mental illness is common and can be treated," said a mental health official in America.

Here are some highlights from the National Alliance Against Mental Illness:

• In the United States, one in five adults live with a mental health problem.
• In the United States, one in 25 adults (10 million) live with severe mental illness
• In the United States, 43.8 million adults are faced with the daily reality of mental illness.
• Half of all lifetime mental health issues start at age 14 and 75% at age 24, but early intervention programs can be helpful.

Help is available for those who suffer from mental illness.

For immediate help with suicide or suicidal ideation, you can contact the National Suicide Prevention Service 24 hours a day at 800-273-8255 or get more information on SuicidePreventionLifeline.org

Information on health insurance and non-immediate mental health services is available here.

Anyone wishing to detect the warning signs of a mental illness in a third party can find a list of possible warning signs here.

You will find more information on mental health and resources for help at the mentalhealth.gov website.

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