One in five Americans will experience a mental health issue within a given year. As 2017 reaches its halfway mark, that means millions of people have already had to confront any number of mental health issues from depression to substance use disorders. Millions more will come upon a mental health crisis in the next half of a year. Of all those people, only a fraction of them will seek out treatment, therapy, or any other form of support for their mental health. Why don’t people seek treatment for their mental health?
Believing Others Care
According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, only 25%, just a quarter, of the 1 in 5 Americans who will struggle with mental health disorder, believe that other people care. Put differently, 75% of people who struggle with mental illness do not believe other people will care or be sympathetic toward the fact that they are struggling with mental illness. Mental illness in and of itself can feel like a lonely, isolated experience. Living with the belief, meaning, living with a perceived truth, that other people don’t care, is tragic. Sadly, it leads people to struggle, suffer, and turn to harmful coping mechanisms.
Of course, there are many people who do care. Compared to the number of people who don’t, where the shame and stigma outweigh the empathy and compassion, it is not the majority. However, there are people who care about you, your well being, and your future.
Shame And Stigma
Part of the powerful effect of stigma and the shaming stereotypes which accompany the terms “mental health” or “mental illness” is inspiring other people to believe that the stigma is true. Believing that people don’t care, won’t care, or can’t care is part of this effect. Mental health still has a negative connotation to it. Seeking therapy for a “problem” or taking medication for a “mental illness” is taboo and still uncomfortable for people to discuss, though mental illness is common.
Lack Of Awareness
Knowing that something is “wrong” may not be enough to warrant further investigation into a mental illness. Globally, there is a severe lack in education and awareness for what mental health disorders can look like as opposed to the popularized stigma and stereotype of what mental illness looks like. As a result, millions of people live with symptoms of mental health disorders, completely unaware that they have one or that seeking treatment could help.
We are here to help. At Lakehouse Recovery Center, we see you for the wonderful individual that you are. Created to heal and empower clients to have fun in a new life of recovery, our integrative residential treatment programs promote wellness in mind, body, and spirit. For more information, call us today at (877) 762-3707.