Mental health, and the absence of mental illness, is important just as is physical health. The healthier we are the more likely we will function better in relationships, at work, and in society. Individuals, families, and friends that experience mental illness are impacted in various ways. The ultimate loss is manifested by suicides. We live in a society where large numbers of people commit suicide.
- Depression may not appear to be a life-threatening illness, yet an estimated 50 percent of the people who succeed in committing suicide were suffering from depression (NAMI, Understanding Major Depression).
- Suicide is the number one cause of premature death among people with schizophrenia, with an estimated 10-13 percent committing suicide (Torrey, 2000, June).
Enhancing the mental health of each individual is important in our country, state, and the Travis County community because untreated mental illnesses negatively affect the young and elderly, rich and poor, educated and uneducated, and professional and blue-collar workers. The need of mental health is a cross-cutting issue that impacts all of the Community Action Network issue areas.
Top Of Page
Description of Adult Mental Health Home Page
