Mental Health Explained

Mental health is comprised of our emotional, psychological, and social health and wellness. It affects everything from how we think and feel, to how we act and respond to life events. It also influences how we handle and respond to stress, the ways we relate to other people, and our ability to make healthy choices in general. Mental health is extremely important throughout every stage of life we go through, all the way from childhood, adolescence, and into adulthood.

First, let’s look at some facts.

Just how common are mental illnesses?

Mental illnesses and mental health problems are some of the most common health conditions in the United States.

1 in 5

  • More than 1 in 5 adults live with a mental illness.

  • Over 1 in 5 youth (ages 13-18) either currently or at some point in their life, have had a seriously debilitating mental illness.

  • About 1 in 25 adults in the United States live with a serious mental illness. (i.e. schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, or major depressive disorder.)

Being so common,

What causes mental illness?

There isn’t a single cause for mental illness. There are many different contributing factors that can increase the risk of mental illness.

  • Adverse experiences during childhood, like trauma or any history of abuse (i.e. child abuse, sexual assault, witnessing violence, etc.)

  • Use of alcohol or drugs, especially during adolescence

  • Feelings of being isolated from peer groups, loneliness, or a lack of a support network (i.e. family, friends, teachers, etc.)

  • Biological influences and factors such as chemical imbalances in the brain

  • Experiences having and living with longterm, ongoing and chronic medical conditions

What can be done?

We believe there are two main aspects.

PREVENTION

While we can’t control every factor that could cause poor mental health or a mental illness, we can prevent many of them. The Revivify Project helps fund multiple different non-profit organizations that are dedicated to the prevention of childhood abuse and trauma that is a huge contributing factor to the mental health epidemic.

TREATMENT

When we aren’t able to prevent the manifestation of a mental illness or poor mental health, the biggest help is treatment. There are a wide variety of options that treatment can include, from therapy to medication. Everyone is different, and will require their own treatment plan to overcome their struggles. The Revivify Project helps fund non-profits that provide treatment to those that need it, so we can overcome the mental health epidemic one person at a time.

Want to learn more about the foundations The Revivify Project supports?

Check out our mission.

Want to join The Revivify Project on our mission?

Donate today.

All page statistics sourced from the CDC