Each year millions of Americans face the reality of living with a mental illness, that's why May is a month to educate and bring awareness to the issue.
According to the Centers for Disease Control, about 1 in 5 children, have had a serious mental disorder, "as they start to get into grade schools and then high school, it can start young," says Alexis Lyon-Claus, Director of Operations of Well Care Services in Reno.
Health officials say some people may not even realize they are suffering from a mental illness. The National Institute of Mental Illness (NIT) defines the condition as a mental, behavioral, or emotional disorder that limits one more more major live activities. "Everybody has bad days but when you start seeing that it is impairing a part of your life like work and relationships that is when you really want to start paying attention to it," says Lyon-Claus.
The NIH also reports there were about 45 million adults living with a mental illness in 2016, of those almost 10.5 million were serious mental illnesses. Well Care Services says there are some signs you can look out for when it comes to friends, co-workers and your loved ones. "They are having difficulties at work, calling out, not getting out of bed that is the common things we see with depression..So you start to see a lack of engagement, avoiding people staying home all the time," says Lyon-Claus.
Nevada ranks 51st in the nation (after District of Columbia) for access to mental health services, so Mental Health Awareness Month is dedicated to teaching the public about mental health in hopes to remove the stigma behind it. "We need to get to a place that we understand that mental illness is a disease and that person is not just lazy and need to get over it this is something they need help with," explains Lyon-Claus. "You are not alone there are so many other people out there experiencing it and there is help for you."
If you think a loved one might be suffering from depression, take the time to speak with them. If you believe you may be suffering, visit your doctor to get treatment.
To find out about mental health resources in Washoe County visit: https://www.washoecounty.us/defender/links/mental-health.php
