Mental Health: Growing Crisis

While the Newtown, Connecticut killings have prompted U.S. President Obama to push for stricter gun controls, an equal amount of attention needs to be devoted to addressing the growing problem of mental illness. Two years ago, the U.S. Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration issued a report on mental health in the United States. Their 5-year study revealed that “over 45 million Americans - approximately one in five adults - suffer from some form of mental illness” with 62% failing to receive health services for their illness. Even though there are ample indicators that mental illness needs more attention, it seems that people are either unwilling or unable to get the treatment needed. Some of the more common reasons given by people for not seeking help are; can handle problem on their own, no time, treatment would not help, cannot afford cost and did not know where to go. The following link provides some very helpful information on taking the first step:   http://psychcentral.com/lib/2012/seeking-mental-health-care-taking-the-first-scary-step/