May is Mental Illness Awareness Month
The National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) reports that one in four adults — approximately 57.7 million Americans experience a mental health disorder in a given year. In the United States the government estimates that 6 percent of all adults have a serious mental illness. This estimate calculates to a possible 3,750 adults in Crow Wing County with serious mental illness.
A serious mental illness refers to a medical condition that alters a person’s thinking, feeling, mood, ability to relate to others and daily functioning. Serious mental illnesses include major depression, schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD), panic disorder, post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and borderline personality disorder. Just like high blood pressure, mental illnesses are treatable.
Mental illness can affect persons of any age, race, religion or income. According to Tami Lueck, Social Service supervisor, “There is a continuum of care offered in our county from medication treatment, various types of therapy, peer support groups and other services that can assist a person in their recovery.”
If you or someone you know would like to find out more information about adult mental health services offered in Crow Wing County call, Mental Health Intake Social Worker, at Crow Wing County Community Services at 824-1140 or visit our website at www.co.crow-wing.mn.us.
Crow Wing County Community Services provides Adult Mental Health services to more than 300 adults each year. The agency is dedicated serving with compassion to promote and protect the health, well-being and self-sufficiency of all residents of Crow Wing County.
