Just as people can experience medical illness, they can also experience mental illness.

Mental illnesses can affect people of any background, ethnicity, socioeconomic group, and age. These illnesses can make it difficult for people to learn, to work, to maintain relationships with others, and to cope with life’s daily activities. While medical illnesses may be easy to identify, mental illnesses may often go unseen.

Mental Health in Adults

Since many people are uncomfortable talking about mental illness, they may have no idea how common it truly is. According to the National Institute of Mental Health, an estimated 26.2% of Americans age 18 and older struggles with a diagnosable mental illness. That means that 1 in 4 Americans is affected by a significant mental health issue.

Mental Illness in Children

More than 11% of children and adolescents in the U.S. struggle with a mental illness that significantly affects their ability to be successful at home, in school, and in their community. Unfortunately, 70% of these children are not identified and do not receive mental health services.

Mental Illness in Students

The Top Mental Health Challenges Facing Students
This guide helps to identify the signs and symptoms of common mental health issues for college students and where and when to seek help. Left untreated, these issues can become debilitating for students, so whether you feel you are experiencing these issues or find yourself concerned for a friend or peer, it is important to take action now.