Statistically, 1 in 5 American families are directly affected by mental illness; 1 in 100 American people will develop Schizophrenia, 5 to 9 percent of American children ages 5 to 17 are affected by a mental illness (i.e., ADHD)!
Let's get even closer, The criminal justice system processes 25 to 40 percent of all Americans with a mental illness at some point in time, the economic cost of untreated mental illness cost America 100 billion dollars each year, and the average onsent of a mental illness is between 18 and 34 years of age.
Just a teeny bit closer, mental illness can result in poverty, homelessness, substance abuse, s*xual promiscuity, unwanted pregnancies, high-school drop outs, juvenile cases, domestic violence, crime, unemployment, etc.
Now, mental illnesses are brain disorders that are not curable, but are treatable. With all this information plaguing our African-American communities, why do we still deny ourselves quality mental healthcare? Did you know that we, yes, African-Americans, are the least likely group to seek and obtain mental healthcare? We accept being mentally ill and the affects of the mental illness are choking the life (what's left) out of our communities!
Why do we allow our friends and family members to live unhappily because they battle with a mental illness that is untreated?
Why do we turn the other way when we know a family member needs help?
Mental illness behaviors are generational. If adults have extreme behaviors because they refuse or deny themselves mental healthcare, medications, therapy, than the younger generation will mimic that behavior and inaction.
The cycle needs to be broken. Doctors need to be more diligent inreferring possible mentally ill patients to mental health providers. Family members need to take the first step to get help. That first step can be contacting a local National Alliance on Mental Illness or similar agency that treats symptoms such as depression.
As a community, we need to stop laughing at each other because of labels such as "Bipolar" and "Schizophrenic" or "postal!" When you consider that today approximately 3.4 million children have early symptoms of a more serious mental illness (i.e., ADHD, Autism, Depression), you have to be consciously aware of the reality that those 3.4 million children will be 3.4 million adults in the future. Add that to the 2.3 million adults with a mental illness continuing to live, that is at least 5.6 million American affected by a mental illness. That is shocking!!!
What can we do to begin to address untreated mental illness in our community?
Well, we have to take the time to educate ourselves. We hae to take the time to understand the various mental illnesses that exist and then develop a plan if we or a loved one has mental illness symptoms. We hae to put all our fears and baggages behind us and step out into the world asking for help with mental healthcare!
This can start with either making your concerns aware with your primary health provider or more confidentially by contacting organizations such as the National Alliance on Mental Illness at
www.nami.org; the American Association of Pastoral Counselors at
www.aapc.org, or your local hospital.
Can you take the first step towards helping yourself or a family member seek mental healthcare?
Agnes ~ Too Wise Not To Praise Him!
Author of "Cooling Well Water: A Collection of Work By An African-American Bipolar Woman" ISBN 0975461206 Winter Release Pending -
www.myspace.com/coolingwellwater
Posted By: agnes levine
Saturday, September 27th 2008 at 4:27PM
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