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Mental illness is common, affecting one out of every five families. Those
stricken with this disease experience its disabling effects. Family and friends
who witness it know of its devastation.
These disorders of the brain disrupts thoughts and mood and can
impair self-insight, judgment and behavior. It destroys self esteem and disrupts
personal relationships, education and employment. It is stigmatizing for those
who have the disease and from their families. Diagnosis of severe mental illness
includes schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, major depression, obsessive compulsive
disorder, and anxiety disorders.
An estimated 80,000 people currently living in the St. Louis area have, or will
be diagnosed with, a severe mental illness. Without effective care and support,
they will be denied the kind of productive lives that they deserve and that are
possible.
The impact of severe mental illness is dramatic, for our neighbors,
friends, and relatives - and consequently for our communities. Four of the top
ten leading causes of disability are mental illnesses. Studies by the
World Health Organization reveal that mental illness, ranks second in the
"burden of disease" in market economies such as the United States. The
estimated cost of mental illness health care alone is over $150 billion per
year nationwide.
Compounding this, the indirect costs of mental illness generate more than $80
billion in loss on the US economy each year. These costs result from loss
productivity at the work place, school, and home and from premature death of
those with mental illness.
But mental illness is treatable, more so than most other chronic illnesses.
Those close to a person who has a mental illness want to help, and they can
help. Research shows that when family and friends are well informed about
mental illness - then their loved ones who are ill have a significantly
improved opportunity to live productive, self-fulfilling lives.
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