Jul. 2--Help is close to home.
Throughout the United States, mental illness has always been a disease that is rarely talked about but Aurora Pavilion Behavioral Health Services is ready to start the dialogue bringing mental health to the forefront.
"As time grows closer to celebrating July Fourth, a day when many Americans celebrate their independence, many suffer in silence. Whether it is memories of past events, growing concerns for the future or just the emptiness of not having support, finding help has become an increasing concern across America," explained Robert D. Schwartz, Jr. MS, director of business development at Aurora Pavilion Behavioral Health Services.
Schwartz points to The National Institute of Mental Illness reports published in "The Numbers Count: Mental Disorders in America" for statistics. According to these reports, an estimated 26.2 percent of Americans 18 and older, about one in four adults, suffer from a diagnosable mental disorder in a given year. These diagnosis include and are not limited to depression, schizophrenia, mood disorders, bipolar disorders, anxiety or panic disorder, dementia related illnesses and substance abuse.
Another major issue facing Americans is post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). A study published in the New England Journal of Medicine reports large numbers of soldiers returning from Iraq and Afghanistan suffer the symptoms of PTSD, major depression, generalized anxiety disorder and other mental health disorders. Between 23 and 40 percent of those suffering from mental health problems sought help and many claimed they feared seeking treatment would make them appear weak or cause their peers to treat them differently.
"The stigma of mental illness persists in this country in large part due to lack of education and fear. We all fear the unknown," said Merry de Leon, medical director at Aurora Pavilion. "When the mystery and myths are wiped away from the idea of mental illness, people are more accepting and less likely to react in a negative way toward someone suffering with depression or schizophrenia. We hope we can inspire a compassionate response instead."
"We are making great strides to eliminate the stigma, but there is still a ways to go," said Rachel Moulton, Director of Social Services at Aurora Pavilion.
If you feel the need to speak to someone about mental illness or substance abuse, call (800) 273-7911 for a free, comprehensive clinical assessment, information and referral assistance.
Remember, help is close to home.
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