Mental Illness In America Essay

An orchestra of instruments fill the ears of those who are searching for help. The slow violins playing in the background accompanied by Logic’s calming voice creates a comforting aura for the lost souls. I hear the cries of the people who are suffering from mental illness, but also the true heroes of those who are trying to help them. Mental illness is a serious social issue that affects many people in the United States. Statistically speaking, about one in every five adults in America experience mental illness each year (First). Mental illness, described as a disorder that involves disturbances to one’s behavior, thinking, and/or emotion, often has many contributing factors that can cause it. Studies have found that there are social, physical and psychological causes for mental illness. With all of these factors that can cause stress to a person, these can add up and ultimately lead to depression—the number one cause of all mental illnesses that can cause a disability. Despite mental illness being a huge issue, only approximately 20% of Americans who have a mental illness

A common generalization about people with mental illness is that they may be blamed for their illness or even be viewed as irresponsible or lazy. This generalization often leads to incompetency and further leads to active discrimination as many people will exclude these people from activities (First). From a public standpoint, people with these conditions may be denied rights from employment, educational or social opportunities. In medical settings, this kind of discrimination can make doctors less likely to pay attention to the patient rather than the disease (First). The manifestation of these discriminations can later become internalized and will eventually lead to the development of