WHAT IS MENTAL ILLNESS?

A mental illness is a disease that causes mild to severe

disturbances in thought and/or behavior, resulting in an inability

to cope with life’s ordinary demands and routines.

There are more than 200 classified forms of mental illness.

Some of the more common disorders are depression, bipolar

disorder, anxiety, dementia, schizophrenia and substance use disorders. Symptoms may include changes in mood, personality,

personal habits and/or social withdrawal.

Mental health problems may be related to excessive stress due

to a particular situation or series of events. Mental illnesses can

affect an individual physically and emotionally. Mental illnesses

may be caused by a reaction to social stressors, genetic factors,

biochemical imbalances, or a combination of these. With

professional intervention, individuals can learn to cope or

recover from mental illness.