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Mental Health

This guide provides information on mental health, including campus, community, and national resources.

Mental Health Guide

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What is Mental Health?

According to the United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, mental health is:

"Mental health includes our emotional, psychological, and social well-being. It affects how we think, feel, and act. It also helps determine how we handle stress, relate to others, and make healthy choices."

Mental health is important throughout the lifespan and while there is no single factor that can affect mental health, there are several risk factors that can make an individual more susceptible to mental illness. These factors include:

  • Adverse Childhood Experiences, such as trauma or a history of abuse (for example, child abuse, sexual assault, witnessing violence, etc.)
  • Experiences related to other ongoing (chronic) medical conditions, such as cancer or diabetes
  • Biological factors or chemical imbalances in the brain
  • Use of alcohol or drugs
  • Having feelings of loneliness or isolation

(Obtained from https://www.cdc.gov/mentalhealth/learn/)

Why is mental health important?

Mental health is an important component of overall health and can have affects on physical health as well. Mental illnesses such as depression and anxiety can manifest physical symptoms that can lead to adverse health effects when experienced long-term. Chronic conditions such as pain disorders or autoimmune disorders can also have an affect on mental health. Mental and physical health are part of a delicate system and affect one another it multiple ways, intertwined at all levels.

Mental health can change throughout the lifespan, and is dependent on many factors. In some cases, the demands placed on a person may exceed their ability to cope or their mental and physical resources. This is especially dangerous for individuals within marginalized communities, as they are more likely to be exposed to external, environmental factors that can negatively impact mental health.

How common is mental illness?

Mental illnesses are among the most common health conditions in the United States.

  • More than 1 in 5 US adults live with a mental illness.
  • Over 1 in 5 youth (ages 13-18) either currently or at some point during their life, have had a seriously debilitating mental illness.
  • About 1 in 25 U.S. adults lives with a serious mental illness, such as schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, or major depression.

(Obtained from https://www.cdc.gov/mentalhealth/learn/)