![]() ![]() These are conditions programmed into the genetic codes of our bodies and triggered by any number of factors. As scientists learn more, they are beginning to understand genetic, biological, and environmental influences on everything from addiction to autism to Alzheimer’s to anxiety. Most people don’t want to intentionally hurt those around them, so understanding more about mental illness can help keep you from making missteps. Or even worse, you might unknowingly perpetuate stigmas that lead to suffering, prejudice, and discrimination. If you don’t understand this fact about mental illness, you might be fearful or confused being around someone with one of the nearly 300 mental disorders listed in the American Psychiatric Association’s Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM) 5. ![]() They are just one of many parts that makeup the people who are in our families and communities. Mental health conditions are part of what it means to be human. Any one of those encounters could be with someone with a mental health condition. You interact with those people: complete projects with coworkers, coach a sports team of teenagers, navigate social settings (such as parties), maintain relationships with neighbors, engage with your child’s teacher, etc. Think about your faith community, book club, friend group, rec sports team, etc.–odds are very good that you know someone with a mental health condition. Again, statistically someone in that group is living with a mental health condition. Are you part of a team of more than five people? Maybe you even manage at least five people. If you have more than five relatives, chances are a niece, brother, aunt, or cousin has a mental health condition. There are 102,000 children and adolescents in our state that have a serious emotional disturbance. Half of all mental illness symptoms start before the age of 14, and 75% by the age 24. According to the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI), one in five people have a mental health condition. Mental illness is more common than heart disease, diabetes, and cancer. ![]() You may not have a mental illness, but mental health does affect you. This connection is also true with mental health. ![]()
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