One in five people has a diagnosable mental health disorder, but often fear and shame prevent people from seeking help. Often people are afraid to talk about mental health because there are many misconceptions about mental illnesses. It’s important to learn the facts to aid in stopping the stigma that surrounds psychiatric illness.
MYTH: MENTAL ILLNESSES ARE NOT THAT COMMON.
Fact: Mental illnesses are very common. About 1 of every 5 people will experience a mental health condition in a given year. These include anxiety, depression, bipolar disorder, and schizophrenia.
18% of Americans have an anxiety disorder.
7% of Americans have depression.
2.6 % of Americans have bipolar disorder.
1% of Americans have schizophrenia.
MYTH: CHILDREN AND TEENS DO NOT EXPERIENCE MENTAL ILLNESS.
Fact: Research shows that 1 in 5 teenagers have or will have a mental illness. In 50% of adults who have a mental health issue, the first signs showed up before age 14. If you are concerned about your child, please seek professional help.
Read the full article at this link.
Teens who get very poor sleep may be more likely to struggle with poor mental health later in life, according to a new study published in the Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry.
Researchers from the University of Reading, Goldsmiths University of London and Flinders University analyzed self-reported sleep quality and quantity from teens and found a significant relationship between poor sleep and mental health issues.
They discovered that among the 4,790 participants, teens who experienced depression reported both poor quality and quantity of sleep, while those with anxiety had poor quality of sleep only, compared to those who didn’t report anxiety or depression.
“This latest research is another piece of evidence to show that there is a significant link between sleep and mental health for teenagers,” said Dr. Faith Orchard, a Lecturer in Clinical Psychology at the University of Reading. “This study highlights that those young people who have experienced depression and anxiety had overwhelmingly experienced poor sleep during their teens.”
Read the full article here.
