For those who suffer from a mental health condition, knowing the facts about mental health can help to lessen the burden of a diagnosis. One in five Americans experiences some form of mental illness in any given year, and severe conditions such as schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, or long-term recurring major depression affects one in 25 Americans.

 

Mental illness can affect anyone at any point in their life and is not a reflection of self-worth or ability but instead should be viewed as any other serious illness.  Mental illness is never your fault, nor the responsibility of those around you. It is not a personal failure to experience symptoms of mental illness that interfere with your daily functioning or make it hard for you to enjoy life as you used to. With this being said, many misconceptions exist surrounding mental illness that make it hard for those who suffer to seek help, and the stigma of having a mental health condition can worsen symptoms.  Although mental illness can feel isolating, you are not alone, and there is hope for recovery.

 

NAMI North Texas offers many different tools, resources, and support groups for many demographics, aiming to educate, support, and advocate for those with mental illnesses.