National Mental Health Month
May 2003

About
Sponsor
Importance
Statistics
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Information

What is National Mental Health Month?

National Mental Health Month is an annual observance designed to increase awareness about mental health and mental illness. This year's theme is "Mental Health Matters Every Day."

Who sponsors National Mental Health Month?

The National Mental Health Association (NMHA), an advocacy organization that works to improve the mental health of all Americans, sponsors the annual observance. NMHA affiliates in every State sponsor local events to promote National Mental Health Month.

Why is mental health important?

Mental health is fundamental to a person's overall health. It is essential to personal well-being and the ability to lead a healthy, balanced, and productive life. Mental health problems can impair a person's thinking, feeling, and behavior and can be serious and disabling. Yet, with effective treatment, people can live with serious mental health problems and still maintain a high quality of life.

How many people are affected by mental health problems?

Mental health problems can affect anyone. Children, adolescents, adults, and the elderly can all experience them. According to the Center for Mental Health Services, an agency within the Substance Abuse & Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), one in five adults (20 percent) has a diagnosable mental health disorder. The NMHA states that mental illness is more common than cancer, lung disease, and heart disease combined.

Why don't more people receive treatment for mental health problems?

According to the U.S. Surgeon General's report on mental health, nearly half of all Americans with a severe mental illness fail to seek treatment. Many people do not receive treatment for mental health problems due to a lack of awareness of the problem, a fear of stigma, or a lack of access to appropriate services. Yet, overall quality of life is greatly improved when a person with mental health problems receives an early diagnosis and appropriate treatment.

Where can I find more information?

For more information about Mental Health Month, contact the NMHA at (800) 969-6642, or visit the organization's web site at www.nmha.org. For referrals to local mental health organizations and treatment facilities or to obtain free publications on mental health topics, contact SAMHSA's National Mental Health Information Center at (800) 789-2647.