Mental Health In America Essay

Mental illness is anything but a new problem in America. The US has tried to “cure” mental illnesses since the nineteenth century. Early in the nineteenth century, America opened asylums for people suffering from epilepsy, dementia, Alzheimer’s disease, alcoholism, etc. As time passed, psychiatrists became discontent with being caretakers, resulting in forced sterilization. Specific demographics such as immigrants, people of color, the poor, and unmarried mothers were targeted (“America’s Long-Suffering Mental Health System”). Mental health care has improved since then, but it is still a severe problem many Americans face today. America is in the middle of a mental health crisis, reflected by our crime, homelessness, and extremely high suicide

Many people dealing with homelessness can feel invisible, ashamed, judged, etc. (“The ‘Crushing’ Cycle of Homelessness and Mental Illness”). People dealing with homelessness may be looked down upon and seen as lazy or a druggie. These stigmas hinder people from getting the mental health care they need. How are they supposed to receive help if no one believes that they have the ability to get better? These individuals need someone to believe that they have the ability to get better. They need someone to support and encourage them. They need someone who will give them resources to help them become better versions of themselves. Once they have a stable person in their life who believes in them they will have a desire to get the help they need. It only takes one person to make a

Whether they are struggling with a mental illness or one of their friends are struggling. Did you know that suicide is the third leading cause of death for Americans between the age of fifteen to twenty-four (“Suicide Statistics and Facts – SAVE”)? Out of everything, suicide is in the top three. There are so many adults who do not take the mental health of teenagers seriously. They say it is a phase and that they will grow out of it. There need to be more mental health spaces available for teenagers and young adults. Places where they feel safe to talk about what is going