December Work/Life Lines: Mental Health

12/02/10

Contributed by Alison Bowman

Did you know that an estimated 26.2% of Americans ages 18 and older (one in about four adults) suffers from a diagnosable mental disorder in a given year?

Although mental disorders are widespread in the population, the main burden of illness is concentrated in a much smaller proportion. About 6% (one in seventeen) suffer from a serious mental illness. Mental disorders are the leading cause of disability in the U.S. and Canada for ages 15-44.

Mental Health covers a wide range of disorders such as Anxiety, Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHA, ADD), Autism Spectrum Disorders, Bipolar Disorder, Borderline Personality Disorder, Depression, Eating Disorders, Schizophrenia, and Suicide Prevention.

Need help for yourself or a loved one? Talk to someone you trust who has experience in mental health – for example, a doctor, nurse, social worker, or religious counselor. Ask their advice on where to seek treatment. In times of crisis, the emergency room doctor at a hospital may be able to provide temporary help for a mental health problem, and will be able to tell you where and how to get further help.

Ithaca College also has an Employee Assistance Program, eni, who have licensed mental health professionals who provide free confidential counseling in-person or over the phone. Please see the Employee Benefits and Work/Life website at www.ithaca.edu/hr/benefits/wrklife/eap for more information regarding the Employee Assistance Program.

 

This information was provided by National Institute of Mental Health. For more information on Mental Health, please visit www.nimh.nih.gov

If you'd like to learn more about Mental Health and how it affects you, please come to our Lunch and Learn on Wednesday, December 8th from noon to 1pm in the Peggy Ryan Williams Center, room GL52.

Work/Life: We believe in the integration of work and life outside of work.

0 Comments



https://www.ithaca.edu/intercom/article.php/20101202090858595