Understanding the Prevalence of Mental Illness in America
According to the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI), mental health conditions are widespread amongst the adult and youth populations in the United States. If you have mental health concerns, you are not alone. A large percentage of American adults and children report experiencing some form of mental illness each year.
NAMI estimates that:
- 1 in 5 adults in the United States experience some form of mental illness each year.
- Each year 1 in 20 adults in the U.S. experience serious mental illness.
- As many as 1 in 6 youth between the ages of 6 and 17 experience a mental disorder each year.
Some of the most common mental health disorders include:
- Anxiety Disorders
- Bipolar Disorder
- Depression
- Post-traumatic Stress Disorder
- Psychosis
- Schizophrenia
Anxiety Disorders
A reported by NAMI, anxiety disorders are the “most common mental health concern in the United States.” Nearly 20% of American adults are believed to have an anxiety disorder. Anxiety disorders, however, are not isolated to adults. An estimated 7% of youth between the ages of 3 and 17 “experience issues with anxiety each year.”
Anxiety disorders may include:
- Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD)
- Social Anxiety Disorder
- Panic Disorder
- Phobias
Anxiety Disorder Treatment
Treatment may include cognitive behavioral therapy and medication. If you believe that you are suffering from an anxiety disorder it is imperative to seek treatment as soon as possible.
Unfortunately, few people with diagnosable mental health or substance use disorders ever seek treatment. If you are charged with a crime where your mental health disorder played a significant role, you may be entitled to pretrial diversion.
You will, however, have to undergo treatment as a condition of the program. It is important that you discuss any of your mental health concerns with a licensed professional and your attorney if you are charged with a criminal offense.