When we come down with a cold, most of us don't hesitate to pop a pill or visit the doctor. But if we can't seem to shake our endless worries or that nagging sense of hopelessness, we plug along as though nothing is wrong. Hence the dire state of mental health in the U.S., where roughly one in four adults suffers from a diagnosable mental disorder, yet less than half receive treatment. So why should you care about your mental health?
#1 Better Physical Health
There is a strong connection between the mind and body. If you're in physical pain, your work and family life may be affected or you may not be able to do the activities you enjoy, which can lead to stress, anxiety and depression. A 2012 study in Health Services Researchconfirmed this connection, noting that people with physical health problems are three times more likely to seek mental health care than those without physical conditions.
There is a strong connection between the mind and body. If you're in physical pain, your work and family life may be affected or you may not be able to do the activities you enjoy, which can lead to stress, anxiety and depression. A 2012 study in Health Services Researchconfirmed this connection, noting that people with physical health problems are three times more likely to seek mental health care than those without physical conditions.
Just as physical health problems can lead to mental distress, mental health disorders can impair physical health (for example, by causing sleep disturbances or impairing immune function). When both mental and physical problems co-occur, doctors typically focus solely on the physical complaint and the cycle of illness continues. However, if the mental health problem gets addressed, many patients report improvements in their physical health. For instance, a 2003 study found that the treatment of depression in arthritis patients led to reduced pain and better overall health.
#2 Improved Productivity and Financial Stability
As a result of dependence on disability income, leaves of absence from work, lost earning potential and the high costs of mental health treatment, individuals with untreated mental health disorders may face significant economic struggles. Some end up foreclosing on their homes, declaring bankruptcy or homeless or incarcerated after trying to manage a mental illness.
As a result of dependence on disability income, leaves of absence from work, lost earning potential and the high costs of mental health treatment, individuals with untreated mental health disorders may face significant economic struggles. Some end up foreclosing on their homes, declaring bankruptcy or homeless or incarcerated after trying to manage a mental illness.
In a 2003 survey by the National Alliance on Mental Illness, more than 70 percent of those with mental illness had an annual income of $20,000 or less, and 20 percent lived on just $5,000 per year. Similarly, a study in the American Journal of Psychiatry found that people suffering from a serious mental illness earned at least 40 percent less than people in good mental health. People with untreated psychiatric illnesses make up one-third of the homeless population and about 16 percent of the total inmate population.
For those who are able to maintain employment, research shows a link between mental health disorders and reduced productivity. The World Health Organization reports that an estimated 200 million work days are lost each year due to depression alone, and five out of the 10 leading causes of disability worldwide are mental health problems. People who struggle with anxiety and depression are more likely to take sick leave repeatedly and for long periods of time (over 90 days), according to a 2012 study by researchers at the Norwegian Institute of Public Health.
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