This Years Mental Illness Awareness Week 2019 For Executives And Professionals

Schizophrenia is a severe mental illness marked by characteristic changes in thinking, emotions and behavior.

Borderline personality disorder (BPD) is characterized by impulsivity and instability in mood, self-image, and personal relationships. This instability often disrupts family and work, long-term planning and the individual’s sense of self-identity. Many people with BPD also have a co-occurring disorder such as depression, anxiety, substance abuse or eating disorders. 

Everyone feels sad once in a while, but depression is more than normal sadness and doesn’t go away in a few days. It is a serious, yet treatable, illness that affects an estimated 16 million Americans. Depression interferes with a person’s ability to function and get through their daily routine. If left untreated, it can lead to extreme hopelessness and suicidal thoughts or actions. Depression is not caused by one single factor. While genetics can play a role in the cause of depression, it can happen spontaneously or be triggered by a life crisis, serious physical illness, childbirth or other major life events. 

Suicide rarely occurs without warning. It is the final sad step in a life unnecessarily taken over by illness and despair. In fact, 90 percent of people who kill themselves have a diagnosable and treatable mental illness. In other words, suicide is very often preventable.

What to say and what not to say   Approximately, 61.5 million Americans or 1 in 4 adults, experience a mental illness in any given year, meaning millions more are trying to figure out how to support a friend or family member.

For Children and adolescents, it is estimated that one in every five has a mental health disorder. According to the National Institute of Mental Health, half of all chronic mental illnesses begin by the age of 14 and fully three quarters have begun by age 24. However, few receive appropriate psychiatric services treatment until years, even decades later. The reasons for this include stigma, lack of resources, and a dearth of trained professions.

People often use the terms mental health and mental illness interchangeably, but just as with any other medical condition, you are healthy or you are ill.  It is a serious mistake to call it a mental health issue when someone has a mental illness.  They are sick.  It is real, and because people do not understand the difference, it can interfere with proper treatment.

At Silver Hill, we are frequently asked about seeking help — when is it time, what are the options. As the hospital's Physician-in-Chief, I'm going to try and give you some answers. Before discussing what I consider to be my basic guidelines, there is one rule that is hard and fast, no matter what: If a person is in danger of harming him/herself or anyone else, get immediate help. Take them to the ER, a psychiatric facility, or call 911.  In fact, calling 911 is probably the best option. An individual in that state is volatile and unpredictable and it is best to call professionals.