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1/10 of children and adolescents have a mental illness severe enough to cause some level of impairment, yet only 1/5 of them receive mental health services in any given year.  (US Surgeon General’s Conference on Children’s Mental Health, 2000) Mental illness and addictions are more common that cancer, diabetes, or heart disease.  About 60 million Americans (1/4 adults, 1/5 children) have a mental illness that is diagnosable in any given year. (Rosenberg, Linda A Perspective on Behavioral Healthcare, 2008. 26.2 % of Americans 18 yrs. of age and older suffer from a mental disorder in any given year (National Institute for Mental Health (NIMH), 2008) Major mental illness disorders cost the US over $193 billion/year in lost wages alone (American Journal of Psychiatry, May 7, 2008) Approximately 30,000 Americans commit suicide every year.(Medscape Psychiatry & Mental Health, 2008) It is estimated that 10.6% of CT adults 18 yrs. and older have experienced serious psychological distress in the past year. (Substance Abuse & Mental Health Services Administration (SAMSHA), 2008.   What about facts on homelessness? Many people who are homeless also have or will suffer from some form of mental illness. Check out the facts below. Approximately 1/3 of all homeless people have a history of mental illness (Corporation for Supportive Housing) The HMIS quarterly report states that 8,337 persons in Connecticut are homeless More info to come!   For more information on mental illness, treatment, support and services visit the National Alliance for the Mentally Ill (NAMI) website.

And for other useful links to mental health organizations please visit our calendar page.

Educating yourself and others about mental illness can help end stigma about mental illness. Please pass this information on to friends and family today!