It is no secret that mental health is an important part of every person’s life. People who are well balanced mentally are almost always more successful/well adjusted than those who have mental health issues. So why are those with mental health issues often left without care?

Poor mental health is crippling to those affected, and they often resort to violence to either themselves or others. This has been the case in recent shootings where the aggressor, historically, has been seen to have some sort of mental illness. We need to collectively get rid of the stigma against mental illness and help those affected get the best care they can.

The Center for Disease Control defines mental illness as collectively all diagnosable mental disorders or “health conditions that are characterized by alterations in thinking, mood, or behavior”. It is estimated that 26.2% of Americans 18 years and older suffer from some sort of mental illness. Whether it be depression, schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, or some sort of anxiety disorder, many people suffer through these crippling illness, and yet some are left feeling that it “doesn’t matter” and told to “just fight through it”. These attitudes are dangerous and unhelpful for those with serious problems.

The main problem that causes the stigma against mental illness is simply the fact that most people don’t understand or are afraid of those who have one. A great example is schizophrenia, an illness that induces extremely vivid auditory hallucinations, whose victims often can’t differentiate between reality and their own mind. This leads them to become isolated from their friends and family who don’t understand what is happening, and distance themselves. Those who go untreated often become homeless, and are sometimes considered “the crazy homeless person” down the street who people avoid.

The biggest problem that people with mental illness face is actually getting the help they need. Only half of all adults with a serious mental illness get treatment for it. Those who don’t see help are usually afraid of being ostracized for having a mental illness. They would much rather hide their struggle than address it and have their peers know. Another reason why many do not get treatment is often because of the expense.Therapists are very costly, and so are the many medications used to treat mental ailments.

In order to better help those suffering, society needs to be more informed about the different types of mental illness, and the symptoms that manifest in those affected. This can be achieved by teaching it in the already mandatory health class offered in high schools, which may do well to lower the prejudice against mental illness as well.

The ultimate truth about mental illness is that those affected are normal people who, just like people with cancer or some other illness, have no control over it. They do the best they can with what they were given, and anyone who’s known anyone with a mental knows it’s not always easy. Society needs to understand and learn about mental health in order to better help those who suffer everyday.