Mental Health Is Important.
Mental
health is how people think, feel, and act as they face life's situations. It
affects how people handle stress, relate to one another, and make decisions.
Mental health influences the ways individuals look at themselves, their lives,
and others in their lives. Like physical health, mental health is important at
every stage of life.
Children and Adolescents Can Have Serious Mental Health
Problems.
Like adults, children and adolescents can have mental
health disorders that interfere with the way they think, feel, and act. When
untreated, mental health disorders can lead to school failure, family
conflicts, drug abuse, violence, and even suicide. Untreated mental health
disorders can be very costly to families, communities, and the health care
system.
Mental Health Disorders Are More Common in Young People than
Many Realize. Studies show that at least one in five children and adolescents
have a mental health disorder. At least one in 10, or about 6 million people,
have a serious emotional disturbance.¹
¹ U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. (1999). Mental
Health: A Report of the Surgeon General. Rockville, MD: U.S. Department of
Health and Human Services.
Disclaimer: Online information found here
is made available so that individuals may find out whether consultation with a
counselor or doctor may be helpful. This is a help site and is not intended to
provide treatment, diagnosis, or consultation. This information does not replace
the advice of a doctor. This site host and developers disclaim any warranty or
liability for your use of this information.
For
information and warning signs about the following disorders, click on the topic
below:
DEPRESSION
BIPOLAR DISORDER
ANXIETY—including Post-traumatic Stress Disorder
ALCOHOL AND SUBSTANCE ABUSE
EATING DISORDERS
SUICIDE AWARENESS & PREVENTION
CUTTING
DATING VIOLENCE
For
help or more information contact any of the following individuals, groups, or
agencies:
--Guidance Counselors—
High School
Middle School
Elementary
--Family physician or local/area clinic
--Family
services, social agencies, or clergy
--Check the phone book under Òmental healthÓ,
ÒhealthÓ, Òsocial servicesÓ, ÒhotlinesÓ or ÒphysiciansÓ for phone numbers and
addresses.
An emergency room doctor also can provide temporary
help and can tell you where and how to get further help.
FOR
AFTER HOURS HELP CALL:
24
Hours Daily—Confidential--Free
National Suicide Hotline:
1-800-273-8255
Teen Help Line: 1-800-443-8336
Teen Help Line is not a crisis or ÒhotlineÓ. The line
provides health information & referral services for Iowa teens.
If
you are thinking of harming yourself or know someone who is, tell someone who
can help immediately.
--Call your doctor.
--Call 911 or go to a hospital emergency room to get immediate help or ask a friend or family member to help you do these things.
--Call the toll-free, 24-hour hotline number for the
National Suicide Prevention Lifeline 1-800-273-8255
--Make sure you or the suicidal person is not left alone.
HELPFUL
LINKS—What is mental illness?
National Alliance on Mental Illness
www.nami.org/Content/NavigationMenu/Inform_Yourself/About_Mental_Illness/About_Mental_Il lness.htm
National Mental Health Information Center
http://mentalhealth.samhsa.gov/publications/allpubs/CA-0004/default.asp
American Psychiatric Association (APA)
www.healthyminds.org/factsheets/LTF-WhatIsMentalIllness.pdf