World Mental Health Day Oct. 10th

Off the normal topic. This is a important message so I thought I must post:

In recognition of World Mental Health Day on October 10, 2011, Psych Central is hosting an international blog party to celebrate the day and bring greater awareness to mental health issues.

They have asking all bloggers around the world — whether you blog on health or mental health topics specifically or not — to blog an entry on October 10 about mental health — to help increase awareness and education about mental disorders and emotional health. It can be about you, a friend’s or a loved one’s story in coping with depression, anxiety, ADHD, bipolar disorder, or something else mental health-related.

Because mental health is something that can’t be seen, people often either take it for granted, or try and pretend it doesn’t exist. Prejudice around mental health issues can exist not only amongst our loved ones sometimes, but also by health care professionals. We ignore our own mental health and that of our loved ones at our own peril.
Treatment for mental illness has never been more readily available and more affordable, yet treatment rates for mental disorders continue to barely budge (and in some cases, they’re even on the decline).

You can learn more at our special World Mental Health Day blog.

I have a family member that is struggling as many of you may also. I do believe when we know more we can help more. Remember a trusted friend & listening ear can go a long way for the many people who are suffering from a mental illness.

A Few Statistics About Depression:

As a young girl, I thought no one felt the way I did. I wondered, Do other children feel this way? This loneliness? These bursts of self hatred?"
The statistics are scary.
18.8 million American adults (That's 9.5%) of the population are suffering from depressive disorders. [SOURCE]
2% of Preschoolers are clinically depressed. Meaning, one in every fifty preschool student is chronically depressed. [SOURCE]
The rate of increase of depression among children is about 23% (1).
A majority, 80%, of depressed people are NOT undergoing treatment (2).
Among depressed females, 41% are too embarrassed to get help with their disorder. [SOURCE]
Ten to fifteen percent of teenagers have symptoms of depression. [SOURCE]
Five percent of teenagers are suffering from depression. Meaning, 1 teenager in every 20 teens are depressed. According to the statistic, that would mean (assuming you have the average class size) one teen in every class is depressed. [SOURCE]
About 8.3% of depressed teens, suffer it for a year at a time. Which is more than the 5.3% for the general population. [SOURCE]
20% of teens will suffer depression before adulthood. [SOURCE]
15% of depressed patients die of suicide. [SOURCE]
20% of people with substance abuse problems have major or clinical depression. [SOURCE]      
Remember everyone is going through something & everone needs a friend. Please be a listening and supportive friend and family member.  As the statistics show this disorder effects many people. You never know who it may be effecting as it is unseen & not talked about.
If you or a loved one is facing this disease please get help.
The supportive member must also get help to provide the support and understanding the individial facing the disease needs.
There are may boards out there that can help such as WebMD , spouse with depression , nami ,  depressiontoolkit for family, friends & caregivers &  psychcentral just to mention a few.

(1. Harvard University study reported in Harvard Mental Health Newsletter, February 2002.
2. “National Healthcare Quality Report”, 2003.)