What is Mental Illness/ a Mental Health Disorder?

The American Psychiatric Association defines Mental illness as

all diagnosable mental disorders — health conditions involving

– Significant changes in thinking, emotion and/or behavior

 – Distress and/or problems functioning in social, work or family activities

You can learn more at: https://www.psychiatry.org/patients-families/what-is-mental-illness

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What is Serious Mental Illness?

Serious Mental Illness is defined as someone 18 years of age or older having (within the past year) a diagnosable mental, behavior, or emotional disorder that causes serious functional impairment that substantially interferes with or limits one or more major life activities.

For people under the age of 18, the term Serious Emotional Disturbance refers to a diagnosable mental, behavioral, or emotional disorder in the past year, which resulted in functional impairment that substantially interferes with or limits the child’s role or functioning in family, school, or community activities.

You can learn more at: https://www.samhsa.gov/find-help/disorders

What are Substance Use Disorders?

Substance use disorders occur when the recurrent use of alcohol and/or drugs causes clinically significant impairment, including health problems, disability, and failure to meet major responsibilities at work, school, or home.

You can learn more at: https://www.samhsa.gov/find-help/disorders

Recovery is Possible

Mental health and substance use disorders affect people from all walks of life and all age groups. These illnesses are common, recurrent, and often serious, but they are treatable and many people do recover.

For many people, an effective behavioral health approach involves a combination of counseling and medication. A variety of practitioners provide behavioral heath treatments and services.

You can learn more at http://www.samhsa.gov/find-help/treatment.

What are Behavioral Health Treatments and Services?

What are Behavioral Health Treatments and Services?

Behavioral health treatments and services help people with common mental illnesses and substance use disorders.

You can learn more at: https://www.samhsa.gov/find-help/treatment

What is Mental Health?

The American Psychiatric Association (2019) explains that Mental health…

involves effective functioning in daily activities resulting in

– Productive activities (work, school, caregiving)

– Healthy relationships

– Ability to adapt to change and cope with adversity

Mental Health is the foundation for emotions, thinking, communication, learning, resilience and self-esteem. Mental health is also key to relationships, personal and emotional well-being and contributing to community or society.”

You can learn more at: https://www.psychiatry.org/patients-families/what-is-mental-illness

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