“Every day begins with an act of courage and hope: getting out of bed-Mason Cooley (AZ Quotes, 2018).” Mental health is state of well-being in which every individual realizes his or her own potential, can cope with the normal stresses of life, can work productively and fruitfully, and is able to contribute to her or his community (WHO.org, 2014). However, it is estimated that 43 million Americans from both sex, races, and social status cannot handle the normal stresses of life and are diagnosed with mental disorders (Healthypeople.gov, 2018).
Mental illness is an umbrella term to incorporate a wide variety of mental disorders. These disorders affect thinking, mood and behaviors (Mayo Clinic, 2015). Examples of mental illness included eating disorder, depression, schizophrenia and anxiety disorders and can range from mild to severely debilitating. Symptoms of mental illness are dependent of the disorder and are classified by severity. Some examples include feeling down, withdrawal from friends, excessive anger towards other or suicidal tendencies (Mayo Clinic, 2015). Why mental illness occurs is still poorly understood however, it is widely agreed upon to be causes by a variety of genetic and environmental factors. Diagnosis and
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Clifford Beers, a formerly institutionalized mental ill patient, founded Mental Health America (MHA) (Mental Health America, 2018). The organization works on improving the lives of the mentally ill in the United States. In 1946, President Harry S. Truman passed the National Mental Health Act. This act created the National Institute of Mental Health and funds were allocated for research (Unite for Sight, 2015). Congress, in 1963, passed the Mental Retardation Facilities and Community Health Center Construction Act to federal fund community-based mental health services. The National Alliance for the Mentally ill, founded in 1979 was used to provide support and